PRIME MINISTER

North East

Alan Campbell: To ask the Prime Minister on what dates he has visited the North East since his appointment; and what the purpose was of each such visits.

David Cameron: I hope to visit the north-east soon.

Schools: Sports

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2010,  Official Report, column 381W, on the Schools Sports Partnerships scheme, how many representations  (a) his Office and  (b) the Department for Education received.

David Cameron: My Office and the Department for Education have received many representations on this issue. I refer the hon. Lady to the announcement the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), has made on Schools Sports today.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Equality Act 2010

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what assessment the Regulatory Policy Committee made of the impact assessment on the implementation of the dual discrimination provisions in the Equality Act 2010.

Lynne Featherstone: The Regulatory Policy Committee has issued its Opinion on the impact assessment for the dual discrimination measure. The Regulatory Policy Committee's Opinions are not currently published, although this policy is under review.

Government Equalities Office: Visits Abroad

Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many overseas visits she expects  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials in the Government Equalities Office to have undertaken at the end of 2010-11; and what estimate she has made of the costs under each budget heading of each such visit.

Lynne Featherstone: Between 1 April 2010 and 30 November 2010, the following overseas visits have been undertaken by Government Equalities Offices (GEOs) Ministers:
	
		
			  £ 
			  Visit n umber  Rail  Air  Hotel 
			 1 260 - - 
		
	
	During the same period, overseas visits undertaken by GEO staff are detailed as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			  Visit number  Rail  Air  Hotel 
			 1 232 - - 
			 2 232 - - 
			 3 262 - 150 
			 4 262 - 139 
			 5 - 846 625 
			 6 443 - - 
			 7 - 469 - 
			 8 234 - 140 
			 9 - 2,071 788 
			 10 262 - 119 
			 11 - 315 171 
			 12 261 - - 
			 13 217 - - 
			 14 217 - - 
			 15 217 - - 
			 16 - 269 - 
			 17 262 - 100 
		
	
	As of 26 November 2010, the GEO is planning the following overseas visits for officials in the next six months:
	The Council of Europe meeting on Equality between Women and Men in Strasburg on 8 to 10 December 2010;
	The EU Commission High Level Group on Gender Mainstreaming meeting in Budapest on 11 to 12 January 2011; and
	The 55th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York on 22 February to 4 March 2011.
	The costs of these visits under the relevant budget headings have not yet been confirmed.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Corruption

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Attorney-General what the Serious Fraud Office's policy is on claiming costs in transnational bribery and corruption cases for the purposes of funding further investigations.

Dominic Grieve: The Serious Fraud Office does not claim costs in transnational bribery and corruption cases for the purpose of funding further investigations.
	The SFO will consider costs in each case of transnational bribery and corruption as it does with all of its investigations into economic crime.

Departmental Pay

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Attorney-General how many staff employed by the Law Officers' Departments were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available.

Dominic Grieve: All London based staff employed by the Law Officers' Departments are paid at a rate higher than the London living wage.

Domestic Violence: Prosecutions

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney-General how many domestic violence specialist prosecutors were practising in England and Wales in each year since 2005.

Dominic Grieve: All prosecutors and associate prosecutors were trained in domestic violence between 2005 and 2008 to ensure expertise in all cases.
	New staff are provided with brief induction training on domestic violence, and are required to undertake pre-course work, including a workbook on the Infonet and e-learning. This is followed by a one-day practical classroom course on domestic violence. Currently there are just over 4,500 prosecutors and caseworkers employed by the CPS, all trained to deal with domestic violence cases.
	In addition, many CPS areas select dedicated prosecutors to work in their area's Specialist Domestic Violence Courts (SDVCs).

Witness Care Units: Finance

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney-General how much funding the Crown Prosecution Service provided to witness care units in each year since 2005.

Dominic Grieve: The funding provided to witness care units since financial year 2005-06 is shown in the following table. The funding includes the allocation made from Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) baseline resources, and the net additional funding received externally:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   CPS funding  External funding  Total 
			 2005-06 0.000 4.670 4.670 
			 2006-07 0.000 5.031 5.031 
			 2007-08 2.481 4.834 7.315 
			 2008-09 2.481 2.600 5.081 
			 2009-10 2.481 2.600 5.081 
			 2010-11 2.481 2.600 5.081

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Christmas

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Christmas parties and drinks receptions his Department plans to host in December 2010.

Bob Neill: As the Secretary of State indicated in his departmental press notice of 29 November 2010, the new Administration is committed to celebrating Christmas, including its Christian heritage. We should not allow politically correct Grinches to marginalise Christmas and the importance of the birth of Christ.
	Ministers recognise that we live in frugal times due to the need to pay off the significant public deficit and national debt that the Government have inherited from the previous administration. But there is no need to play Scrooge.
	In this context, a Christmas tree has been placed in the Department's reception at Eland house which has been provided at no cost to the taxpayer. This is in contrast to the previous cost of £1,037 for a Christmas tree outlined in the parliamentary answer of 12 November 2009,  Official Report, column 849W.
	Ministers plan to hold one small reception for senior DCLG staff to thank them for their hard work this year. Their work includes the abolition of bureaucratic Comprehensive Area Assessment and other local red tape, stopping the imposition of bin taxes and the unfair ports tax, and laying the ground for radical new powers for local authorities through the Localism Bill. The reception will be held in Eland House. Individual divisions within the Department may hold Christmas lunches paid for by staff.
	A Christmas quiz and Christmas fair are being held for staff to raise funds for the Civil Service Benevolent Fund. The fair included Christmas carols sung by the Environment, Transport and Communities choir, ETCetera, and by Westminster Cathedral primary school children.
	Last year, the Department spent £2,855 of taxpayers' money on Christmas cards. This year the departmental Christmas card, now with appropriate Christian imagery, has been produced at no cost to the taxpayer and will be sent electronically. Recognising the need to look after the vulnerable at this time of year, we are also supporting the homeless charity Shelter in the card. We will ensure that the right hon. Member is included on the distribution list.

Domestic Violence: Victim Support Schemes

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding his Department has allocated for support to victims of domestic violence in each year since 2005.

Andrew Stunell: The provision of Supporting People housing related support services, including domestic violence provision, is a matter for local authorities to determine based on local needs and priorities. DCLG do not specify what portion of the Supporting People budget should be allocated to individual client groups. However DCLG, collect retrospective annual spend on services for women at risk of domestic violence client group funded from the Supporting People programme. Details of spend are provided in the following table.
	Spend in England on housing related support services for women at risk of domestic violence funded by the Supporting People (SP) programme.
	
		
			  Financial year  SP spend on women at risk of domestic violence (£000)  Total SP spend (£ billion)  Women at risk of domestic violence spend as a % of local SP spend 
			 2009-10 70,939 l,660 4.3 
			 2008-09 66,878 l,640 4.1 
			 2007-08 64,523 l,628 4.0 
			 2006-07 61,645 1.643 3.8 
			 2005-06 59,333 1.682 3.5

Domestic Violence: Victim Support Schemes

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding his Department has allocated for support to victims of domestic violence in each year of the comprehensive spending review period; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Stunell: The allocation of funds for domestic violence provision is a matter for local authorities to determine based on local needs and priorities. However, throughout the spending review we have been guided by a commitment to fairness, protecting the most vulnerable people in our society and as far as possible protecting frontline services. We have secured investment of £6.5 billion for the Supporting People programme over the next four years, which equates to an average annual reduction of less than 3% in cash terms. Local areas will continue to take decisions informed by local need in commissioning housing-related support services for victims of domestic violence.

Homelessness: Easington

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the  (a) short-term and  (b) long-term effects on levels of homelessness in Easington constituency of his Department's spending reductions.

Grant Shapps: This Government are committed to preventing homelessness. We have protected Homelessness Grant funding, with £400 million over the spending review period. This will be made available to local authorities and the voluntary sector to support their work to tackle homelessness. We have made an additional £190 million available for discretionary housing payments and other forms of practical support alongside the Government's package of welfare reform measures. We have also minimised reductions to the supporting people programme with £6.5 billion investment secured over the next four years.
	Detailed allocations for local authorities were published on 13 December as part of the provisional local government settlement. This is available on the Department's website at:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1112/specgrant1112/index.htm
	It will be for local authorities to determine their spending priorities taking account of local circumstances. The Department for Communities and Local Government has not produced any estimates of the potential impacts of these decisions in the Easington constituency.
	I also refer the hon. Member to my letter of 20 October 2010, on the Spending Review's Settlement for Housing, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. It outlines our plans to build more affordable homes and renovate rundown housing stock.

Homelessness: Greater London

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his most recent estimate is of the number of homeless people in London.

Grant Shapps: Information about local authorities' discharge of their duties under homelessness legislation is collected on quarterly PIE returns. Summary information about English local housing authorities' actions under the homelessness legislation (Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996) is collected at local authority level, and published by the Department in the quarterly Statistical Release on Statutory Homelessness, available both in the Library of the House and via the DCLG website:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/homelessnessstatistics/publicationshomelessness/
	Data collected includes the number of households accepted by local housing authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and therefore owed a main homelessness duty (to secure that suitable accommodation is available). If a settled home is not immediately available, the authority must secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available and this information is also collected.
	During the July to September quarter 2010, 2,630 households were accepted as owed a main homelessness duty in London. At the end of September 2010, there were 36,960 households in temporary accommodation in London.
	Information is also collected on rough sleeping. Since 1998, only councils in areas with a known, or suspected, rough sleeping problem were required to conduct an official rough sleeper count-which meant that only 70 councils submitted information to central Government. Figures published in July 2010 showed that under this previous method, on any given night there were 440 rough sleepers in England. However, when the remaining 256 councils provided estimates of the scale of the problem in their areas, this added a further estimated 807 rough sleepers-taking the national total to 1,247 rough sleepers on any given night, of which 317 were in London.
	Rough sleeping figures are published by the Department on the DCLG website:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/roughsleepingcount2010
	Under new guidance all councils across England will now provide information on rough sleeping. This move follows consultation with homelessness charities and councils and is aimed at getting a clearer picture of the scale of the problem in each area so more targeted support can be provided to some of the most vulnerable in society.

Homelessness: Housing Benefit

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to alter the definitions of voluntary and involuntary homelessness as part of his proposed changes to housing benefit.

Grant Shapps: The Government have no plans to amend the definition of intentional homelessness in Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (the homelessness legislation).

Housing: Construction

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what mechanism will be used to calculate the rate at which formula grant is redistributed from local authorities  (a) in each region and  (b) at each tier to fund the New Homes Bonus.

Grant Shapps: The spending review has secured almost £1 billion of funding to support the New Homes Bonus and any funding required above that will be top sliced from formula grant. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), announced the Government's formula grant proposals for the next two years on 13 December 2010,  Official Report, column 679.

Mobile Homes

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take to improve the means of redress for park home residents; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: I announced on 14 July that, subject to parliamentary approval, I intended to transfer most dispute resolution under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 from county courts to residential property tribunals. This will provide park home residents with a cheaper, quicker and easier means of redress than currently exists through the courts. The transfer will take place next spring.
	I am also looking at what other measures could usefully be taken to help protect park home owners.

Multiple Occupation: Licensing

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many houses in multiple occupation were licensed under  (a) mandatory,  (b) selective and  (c) additional licensing in each local authority area in each year since the introduction of licensing.

Grant Shapps: holding answer 16 December 2010
	The collection of data centrally by DCLG on the register of licensed houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) has been suspended and its continued collection is subject to an internal review of all DCLG statistical data collections as part of the new Government's goal of reducing the burdens of data reporting requirements on local government. On 17 December 2010 DCLG published a first draft of the single local government data list and will engage the sector to identify areas where burdens could be reduced further. Definitive numbers of licensed HMOs are available from the registers held by local authorities.

Planning: Referendums

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has made an estimate of the cost to the public purse of implementing local referendums to approve local neighbourhood plans for a parish of  (a) 3,000,  (b) 5,000 and  (c) 10,000 households.

Greg Clark: We will be publishing an Impact Assessment on our Neighbourhood Plan proposals in due course which will outline how the changes will increase sustainable development and deliver monetised benefits to local authorities and developers.

Regional Planning and Development: Finance

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to announce his plans for the future of the Growth Areas, Growth Points and Eco-Towns Grant.

Grant Shapps: The Growth Fund will not continue into the next spending period, and I refer the right hon. Member to the Local Growth White paper published on 28 October 2010, which sets out a range of policies and incentives to support locally led growth, including eco-development and eco-towns.
	I note that the previous Administration cut Growth Fund funding for 2010-11 in a written ministerial statement of 15 December 2009,  Official Report, column 94WS, and declined to commit to future funding in an answer given on 5 January 2010,  Official Report, column 219W.

Residential Premises

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many residential premises deemed problematic in each ward of each local authority area were closed in each of the last three years.

Andrew Stunell: The information requested is not held centrally.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Press Releases

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions his Department has provided embargoed media briefings prior to an oral statement to the House since 26 May 2010; in respect of how many such briefings his Department was informed that the embargo had been breached; what steps were taken as a result of each such breach; and on how many occasions his Department has provided media briefings without an embargo prior to an oral statement to the House since 26 May 2010.

David Mundell: Neither the Secretary of State nor I have made an oral statement to the House since 26 May 2010.

Higher Education: Finance

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the likely effect on universities in Scotland of the consequences of implementation of  (a) the Higher Education (Basic Amount) (England) Regulations 2010 and  (b) the Higher Education (Higher Amount) (England) Regulations 2010.

David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland and I are in regular discussion with a range of organisations, such as Universities Scotland and NUS Scotland, about the effect of Government policy on Scotland.

WALES

Departmental Public Expenditure

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent estimate she has made of the effect of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax on her Department's annual expenditure.

David Jones: Officials have considered the change in value added tax and made adjustments in our budget to accommodate the increase.

Welsh Language Schemes

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when her Department last published a Welsh language scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993; and at which web addresses these can be accessed in  (a) Welsh and  (b) English.

David Jones: The Wales Office agreed with the Welsh Language Board a revised Welsh Language Scheme for the Department in March 2010.
	The scheme is published on the Wales Office website, and it can be found in Welsh at:
	http://www.swyddfa.cymru.gov.uk/amdanom-ni/y-cynllun-iaith-gymraeg/
	and in English at:
	http://www.walesoffice.gov.uk/about/welsh-language-scheme/

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Departmental Pay

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Leader of the House how many staff employed by his Office were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available.

George Young: The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons joined the Cabinet Office in 2007.
	I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office.

Members: Travel

Denis MacShane: To ask the Leader of the House if he will bring forward proposals to make extended travel within the UK available to hon. Members on the same basis as extended travel to Europe.

George Young: The rules governing extended travel are a matter for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan: Overseas Aid

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the proportion of his Department's aid provided to Afghanistan which has been diverted from its intended purpose in the latest period for which figures are available.

Andrew Mitchell: DFID aid in Afghanistan is safeguarded as far as possible given the security situation. Money allocated to the Government of Afghanistan is channelled through a multi-donor trust fund managed by the World Bank and monitored by an external agent. It is provided on a reimbursement basis and only released once proof of legitimate expenditure has been provided.
	DFID has rigorous systems and procedures in place across all its programmes to ensure effective financial oversight of its funding and to ensure that aid achieves maximum value for money and both reaches and delivers results for its intended recipients. This Government will take the strongest action where such abuse of UK funds is proven. DFID's Counter Fraud Unit takes a robust approach to investigating and pursuing allegations of unintended use.

Africa: Education

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department allocated to the Financial Education Fund in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what plans he has for future funding for financial education and services in developing countries in Africa.

Stephen O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) has allocated £1,257,058 to the Financial Education Fund (FEF) for the 2010-11 financial year.
	FEF is using a challenge fund mechanism to test the effectiveness of different approaches to improving consumers' financial capability. Overall, 15 projects are being supported in various African countries including an educational drama programme in Kenya which has so far reached over seven million people, and an initiative for rural young women in Zambia. Over the next year we will evaluate the evidence from FEF, communicate the lessons learned within DFID and to the wider development community and then explore how these results can support further financial education initiatives in developing countries.

Colombia: Human Rights

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the role of, and assistance provided by, his Department to Colombia in ensuring appropriate action against human rights violations.

Stephen O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not provide direct assistance to the Government of Colombia. DFID provides assistance through multilaterals and civil society organisations in Colombia. The UK pays particular attention to human rights as part of our bilateral dialogue with the Government of Colombia.
	The work of civil society partners is critical for the respect and promotion of human rights across Latin America, particularly in the areas of impunity, land restitution and improved security for human rights defenders. An independent mid-term evaluation of DFID's Latin America Partnership Programme Arrangement in 2010 found examples of:
	"effective social mobilisation of groups that have historically been marginalised, of increasing recognition by duty-bearers of the legitimacy of the rights and interests of these groups, and of reforms to policy and legislation that have been made as a result."
	Human rights defenders in Colombia have informed us that visible and ongoing UK and international support continues to help guarantee their security.

Departmental Location

Michael McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether any members of his Department's Management Board are based in East Kilbride.

Alan Duncan: No member of the Department for International Development's (DFID's) executive management board is based in East Kilbride. Members of the management board visit the DFID office in East Kilbride between once and three times a month and there are frequent video conferences and virtual discussions with staff involving the management board. The most senior member of DFID staff based in East Kilbride is the Director for Value for Money.

Departmental Location

Michael McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he considered the relocation of jobs out of London as part of his Department's contribution to the comprehensive spending review.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has two UK headquarters, located in London and East Kilbride. We are transferring 70 posts from our London office to East Kilbride where we have around 500 staff. We will keep under review the potential for further relocations.

Departmental Pay

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff employed by his Department were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development has no London or UK based staff paid at a rate equivalent to or below the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available.

Departmental Procurement

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps  (a) his Department and  (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible have taken to comply with the guidance of the Office of Government Commerce on promoting skills through public procurement issued in 2009.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) implemented a change to its invitation to tender processes in 2009 in response to the Office of Government Commerce publication of guidance on promoting skills through public procurement.
	Our standard invitation to tender document encourages suppliers to provide training and apprenticeship opportunities in their work force for DFID contracts where it is appropriate to do so, and that they should encourage their sub-contractors to offer such opportunities as appropriate.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent estimate he has made of the effect of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax on his Department's annual expenditure.

Alan Duncan: Department spending review settlements are set on a tax-inclusive basis, including the increase to the standard rate of value added tax (VAT). The Department for International Development (DFID) is entitled to reclaim the standard rate of VAT when purchasing a service which is included in the "Contracting Out Direction" issued by HM Treasury. Where DFID is unable to reclaim the VAT this will be borne out of existing budgets.

Developing Countries: Health Services

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with international organisations on user fees and access to health care services in developing countries.

Stephen O'Brien: The Secretary of State has had discussions with international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) about user fees and access to health care services in developing countries. Department for International Development (DFID) officials have been working with all the relevant organisations, including the World Bank, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, on issues related to user fees and access to health care.
	We are specifically supporting WHO to implement the World Health Report on health financing.

Food Retail Industry Challenge Fund

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department  (a) allocated to the Food Retail Industry Challenge Fund in the most recent year for which figures are available and  (b) plans to allocate to the fund in each of the next three years.

Stephen O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) has allocated grants totalling £1,837,080 to the Food Retail Industry Challenge Fund for the period 2009-10 to 2012-13. Funds are released when projects achieve agreed milestones. Projects supported to date include bringing new teas from Rwanda and Kenya, coffee from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a chocolate drink from Sao Tome.
	Decisions on future funding to the Food Retail Industry Challenge Fund have not yet been made. DFID is currently reviewing all our aid programmes to ensure UK aid is effective, represents value for money for the UK taxpayer and accelerates growth towards the millennium development goals.

Overseas Aid

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to ensure that funds paid to developing nations are spent on the projects to which they have been allocated.

Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) has rigorous systems and procedures to ensure effective financial oversight of its funding and to ensure that aid reaches and delivers results for its intended recipients. Where funds are paid direct to governments, we protect them from unintended use by: carefully assessing the risks and ensuring that our assessments are checked by external experts; making sure that governments have a credible reform programme to improve their financial management and reporting systems, and providing technical support to help them do so; and using safeguards to prevent misuse of funds, for example, by ensuring procurement is approved by someone outside national systems, conducting audits of particular sectors, and tracking money from the Ministry of Finance to ensure it gets to the right place.
	The UK Government have a zero tolerance approach to corruption, and we will take the strongest action where such abuse of funds is proven. DFID's Counter Fraud Unit takes a robust approach to investigating and pursuing allegations of unintended use. For example DFID has suspended funding to the Kenyan Ministry of Education after an audit report into the use and management of education funds in Kenya found that UK aid could not be accounted for. All unaccounted funds identified in this first audit have now been fully recovered.

USA: Cotton

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effect of US cotton subsidies on farmers in developing countries; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen O'Brien: The UK Government have supported significant research into the impacts of cotton subsidies on African farmers, including US cotton subsidies. These subsidies have a significant negative impact on farmers in developing countries and their removal is a key objective of the UK Government.
	We will continue to press the US bilaterally on this issue. However, successful conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) will be the key driver of reform. In 2005, WTO members committed to treat cotton subsidies "ambitiously, expeditiously and specifically" within the DDA. The UK is at the forefront of countries pressing for conclusion in 2011.

Welsh Language

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when his Department last published a Welsh language scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993; and at which web addresses these can be accessed in  (a) Welsh and  (b) English.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not have a Welsh Language Scheme but works in consultation with partner organisations, such as the Welsh Assembly, to provide major policy documents in Welsh as and when required.

Yemen: Overseas Aid

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department plans to give to Yemen in aid in  (a) 2010-11 and  (b) 2011-12; and to which projects such aid will be allocated.

Alan Duncan: In 2010-11 the Department for International Development (DFID) has allocated £50 million to Yemen. This has been committed to the following projects.
	Social Fund for Development
	Social Fund for Development-Cash Transfer Programme
	Basic Education Development Project
	Secondary Education Development and Girls Access Programme
	Maternal and Newborn Health
	Justice and Policing
	Humanitarian Assistance Programme
	International Finance Corporation Private Sector Development.
	In June 2010 the Secretary of State for International Development commissioned a review of all DFID's bilateral aid programmes. Funding allocation for 2011-12 will be made after the review has concluded early next year.

Zimbabwe: Health Services

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of  (a) urban and  (b) rural health services in Zimbabwe.

Stephen O'Brien: The UK works closely with partners to continually assess the health situation in Zimbabwe. For example, we support a survey every three months that looks at basic infrastructure, staffing, and stocks of essential drugs and commodities in over 1,000 health facilities across the country.
	Health services across Zimbabwe, in both urban and rural areas, are inadequate and the country is seriously off track to meet its health related millennium development goals. This is why supporting improvements in health care delivery is a major focus of our work in the country. In Zimbabwe, the number of mothers dying in childbirth has increased four fold since 1990 and more children are dying before their fifth birthday. Doing even more on maternal and child health is a development priority of the coalition Government.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan: Christianity

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking in support of the human rights of Christians who have been imprisoned, tortured or persecuted as a consequence of seeking to practise their faith in Afghanistan.

Alistair Burt: Working with the international community, we continue to monitor the situation of Christians in Afghanistan and to remind the Afghan Government of its duty to abide by its national and international commitments on freedom of religion and belief.

Afghanistan: Corruption

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of progress in reducing the level of corruption in Afghanistan since 2008.

Alistair Burt: Corruption remains a serious concern for the Afghan Government, Afghan citizens and the international community. It hampers socio-economic development and undermines the legitimacy of the Afghan Government and their ability to deliver services to the Afghan people.
	Since 2008, the Afghan Government have committed to a number of steps to tackle corruption and build independent institutions to monitor and drive progress in this area. We and our international partners have welcomed these commitments. Progress to date has been slower than we would like with only partial implementation in some areas. We continue to press the Afghan Government to intensify their efforts. We also continue to provide practical support on anti-corruption.

Afghanistan: Females

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to prevent  (a) forced marriage,  (b) enslavement and  (c) violence against women in Afghanistan.

Alistair Burt: We continue to encourage the Afghan Government to implement the human rights legislation that it has committed to, including the law on the elimination of violence against women.
	The UK's national action plan on women, peace and security which identifies how UK defence, diplomacy and development work can empower and protect women in conflict situations includes a specific section on our efforts in Afghanistan. One of our objectives is to strengthen and protect women's rights and to promote access to effective remedy of violations of these rights.

Aung San Suu Kyi

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Aung San Suu Kyi; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Browne: Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest was long overdue and warmly welcomed by the Government. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke to her on 15 November and assured her of the Government's support. Our ambassador to Rangoon has met her frequently in the month since her release, most recently on 15 December. The Government condemn attempts by the military regime to force the dissolution of the National League for Democracy (NLD). The huge number of Burmese people who greeted Aung San Suu Kyi's release on the streets of Rangoon demonstrate that the NLD continue to have widespread popular appeal. The Government urge the military regime to work with all democratic and ethnic groups towards achieving national reconciliation.

Burma: Politics and Government

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken to press the Government of Burma to grant political freedoms to Burmese citizens.

Jeremy Browne: The Government remain deeply concerned about the actions of the military regime which continues to deny fundamental freedoms to the people of Burma. The UK played a leading role at the Asia-Europe summit in May, where the EU pressed the Burmese Foreign Minister to respect human rights. These issues have also been raised with Burma's regional neighbours in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's visits to India and China and in human rights bodies including most recently the UN General Assembly, where the EU secured a strongly-worded resolution which catalogued the continuing human rights abuses in Burma.

Christmas

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to  (a) host Christmas parties and  (b) purchase Christmas trees and decorations; and what estimate he has made of his Department's expenditure on such activities in 2010-11.

Alistair Burt: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will be hosting a Christmas reception for diplomatic, parliamentary, media and other contacts. This event replaces two events held previously. This year we expect the cost of the event will be £9,823. Last year the cost was more than £16,000.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not purchased any Christmas trees or decorations in 2010-11. Three Christmas trees have been donated to the office by Facilities Management Client Unit (FMCU) contractors (Compass, Interserve and G4S).
	The Foreign and Commonwealth office will be holding a Christmas party for staff who will have to purchase tickets to attend. £3,600 from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office budget has been allocated for the party. This will meet various set-up costs (such as hire of tables and chairs and a public address system). Ticket sales will meet the costs of food and drink. Public funds will not be used to fund the purchase of food or drink.

Conflict Prevention

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make arrangements to discuss with Parliamentarians the development of his Department's Building Stability Overseas strategy.

Henry Bellingham: Following the commitment made in Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), the Government will publish a Building Stability Overseas Strategy (BSOS) by spring 2011. The National Security Strategy (NSS) makes clear our commitment to a dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders to build a shared understanding of the security challenges we face and what we are doing and need to do to tackle them. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and Department for International Department are currently planning detailed consultations, to be held early in the new year to ensure that the Building Stability Overseas Strategy is developed with key partners, including parliamentarians.

Denmark: Dolphins

Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made recent representations to his Danish counterpart on dolphin hunting.

David Lidington: The Government are aware of the strength of feeling in the UK about the killing of pilot whales (a term which also includes Calderon dolphins) in the Faroe Islands. Our position on the hunting of cetaceans (marine mammals) is clear in that we support the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium on commercial whaling and oppose all forms of cetacean hunts, other than limited whaling operations by indigenous people for subsistence purposes.
	I have not yet had any contact with my Danish counterparts on this issue. However, we raise the issue of whale hunting in the Faroe Islands with Denmark on a regular basis at official level. This was discussed at the annual meeting of the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas in October, at which Denmark was represented. At this meeting, the UK raised concerns over the increasing frequency and diversity of these hunts.
	We will continue to make our opposition to whaling known to Denmark at every appropriate opportunity. We will argue that the actions of the Faroe Islands undermine the credibility of the IWC as an effective organisation for the conservation of cetaceans worldwide.

Departmental Libraries

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what expenditure his Department incurred on the employment of  (a) historians and  (b) librarians in each of the last 13 years; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not maintain a central record of the expenditure on previous historian and librarian staff and it would incur disproportionate cost to establish such historical expenditure for each of the last 13 years from relevant staff file records.
	The FCO currently employs a historians team of seven full-time staff (including two members of staff on secondment from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the National Archives) and three part-time staff, at a total average salary cost in 2010-11 of £324,309. An e-library service has been provided to staff since the closure of the FCO library in March 2008. Three full-time staff are currently employed to support the e-library service, at a total average salary cost in 2010-11 of £94,058.

Departmental Libraries

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are in place for his Department's officials to access his Department's historical records; in what format such records are made available to his Department's staff; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) selects and transfers records to The National Archives (TNA) after 30 years. Some records are retained in the FCO archive (under the provisions of the Public Records Act) and others are held closed at TNA (under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act).
	Arrangements are in place with the TNA whereby the FCO can order back any material required by FCO officials, both closed and open records. Retained records are also available for FCO officials whenever required.
	Any records currently requested from TNA will be in paper format as the FCO has not yet transferred any electronic records. This also applies to FCO records which are currently retained by the Department.

Departmental Libraries

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what analysis was undertaken of the merits of his Department's historical library prior to the decision to close it.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s historical library collection was transferred to Kings College London in 2007 following an internal review conducted in 2003, the establishment of an Advisory Committee in 2006 which oversaw a tender exercise to assess the merits of the bids received, and the laying of a Departmental Minute before both Houses of Parliament regarding the "gift" of the FCO historical collection to Kings College London. The FCO and King's College London set up a limited company-in effect a charitable trust-to hold title to the collection. The decision to close the physical library was taken in 2007 following a review conducted by external consultants. Consequently the remaining 20,000 volumes in the physical library were transferred to Kings College London and the physical library closed in March 2008. The FCO is confident that Kings College London is proving to be an excellent custodian of the historical library especially as it is now the most heavily used of King's special collections and has never before been made accessible to the public.

Departmental Pay

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the highest annual salary his Department paid in each of the last five years was.

Alistair Burt: In each of the last five years the highest annual salary paid by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office did not exceed £190,000.

Departmental Pay

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK-based staff employed by his Department were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not employ any staff at a rate below the London living wage in its London offices.

Departmental Press: Subscriptions

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which local newspapers his Department had a subscription between June 2007 and May 2010; on what date each such subscription started; and what the cost to the public purse was of such subscriptions.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not hold the information in the format requested and to do so could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	Globally, the FCO has spent the following, per financial year, on newspaper and magazines.
	
		
			   £ 
			 2007-08 820,000 
			 2008-09 382,000 
			 2009-10 451,000 
			 2010-11 (April and May) 59,944

Departmental Press: Subscriptions

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much  (a) his Department and  (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible spent on press cuttings services in each of the last 12 months.

Alistair Burt: Spend by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the British Council on press cutting services for each of the last 12 months is listed in the following table.
	
		
			  £ (Excluding VAT) 
			   FCO  British Council 
			  2009   
			 November 13,730 2,443 
			 December 13,307 2,236 
			
			  2010   
			 January 12,987 2,120 
			 February 11,164 2,766 
			 March 14,674 2,653 
			 April 10,327 2,921 
			 May 10,452 1,855 
			 June 10,819 1,765 
			 July 10,714 1,636 
			 August 9,024 1,813 
			 September 8,479 1,926 
			 October 8,195 1,920 
		
	
	The FCO is also obliged to purchase an annual licence fee from the Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA) in order to deliver electronic press cuttings. In 2010-11, this cost £70,755 (excluding VAT). The FCO does not pay for this by month but makes an annual payment each year, which runs from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2010. Prior to 2007, the FCO had a paper cuttings service. When we moved to the more environmentally friendly digital service, the NLA increased its fee as the digital information can now be provided across the whole of the FCO's worldwide network rather than just in the UK.
	For the period 1 November 2009 to 31 October 2010, the British Council spent £17,251 (excluding VAT) on NLA payments. The FCO's other non-departmental public bodies did not spend anything on press cutting services during this period.

Departmental Press: Subscriptions

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on press cuttings services in each year since 1997.

Alistair Burt: Spend by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on press cutting services for the last seven years is listed in the following table.
	
		
			  £ 
			   Press cutting services  Newspaper Licensing Agency 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 288,943 1,905 
			 April 2005 to March 2006 270,011 1,880 
			 April 2006 to March 2007 314,049 2,044 
			 April 2007 to March 2008 350,658 6,176 
			 April 2008 to March 2009 257,338 28,243 
			 April 2009 to March 2010 213,925 71,822 
			 April 2010 to October 2010 68,012 70,755 
		
	
	We cannot separate costs prior to 2004 without incurring disproportionate costs. The FCO is also obliged to purchase an annual licence fee from the Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA) in order to deliver electronic press cuttings. Prior to 2007, the FCO had a paper cuttings service. When we moved to the more environmentally friendly digital service, the NLA increased its fee as the digital information can now be provided across the whole of the FCO's worldwide network rather than just in the UK.

Departmental Procurement

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible have taken to comply with the Guidance of the Office of Government Commerce on promoting skills through public procurement issued in 2009.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) incorporated the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) guidance document 'Promoting Skills through Public Procurement' into its Procurement Guidance and uses FCO UK-based construction procurement to promote the use of apprentices as part of supplier work forces.
	FCO Services, a trading fund of the FCO, also supports the OGC guidance. The nature of the work means that fully qualified staff are sent to locations overseas which limits the scope for suppliers' apprentices. However, FCO Services, as a supplier of the FCO currently has 40 apprentices.
	Wilton Park and non-departmental public bodies such as the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the Great Britain China Centre are small organisations who do not undertake procurement of this nature. The British Council follows the guidance but rarely enters into construction contracts in the UK.

EU Law

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many EU directives are pending transposition into domestic legislation by his Department; and what estimate he has made of the cost of each such transposition.

David Lidington: No EU directives are pending transposition into domestic legislation by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Therefore, the FCO has made no estimate of the cost of transposition.

Falkland Islands: Offshore Industry

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on progress on exploration of oil and gas reserves in Falkland Islands territorial waters; and what assessment he has made of any likely date for commencement of commercial exploitation.

Jeremy Browne: Hydrocarbons exploration resumed in Falkland Islands waters in February 2010. Five wells have so far been drilled. Rockhopper Exploration announced an oil discovery in their Sea Lion prospect in the North Falklands Basin on 6 May 2010. However, thus far, no companies have announced hydrocarbons finds in commercially viable quantities. We will need to wait for the results of the continuing exploration before we can make any assessment about long-term prospects for the industry.

Foreign Nationals: Honours

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to enable UK honours to be awarded in recognition of voluntary work in the local community to non-British or Commonwealth citizens who are resident in the UK.

Henry Bellingham: Substantive UK honours can be awarded to citizens of countries where Her Majesty The Queen is Head of State (UK Realms). Dual nationals (one of which is the UK) resident in the UK are eligible for substantive awards.
	Non-British and non-Realm Commonwealth nationals are eligible for honorary awards. Clearance has to be sought from the respective foreign government before an award is made. Honorary awards are not included in the birthday and new year honours lists but are published on the Foreign and Commonwealth website as and when they are awarded.

Ilois: Resettlement

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he expects the former inhabitants of the Chagos Islands to settle permanently in the British Indian Overseas Territory.

Henry Bellingham: The Government are continuing to defend the claims for resettlement and further compensation which the Chagos Islanders have brought to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. This is because we believe the arguments against allowing resettlement on the grounds of feasibility and defence security are clear and compelling. Nor do we see the case for compensation as this has already been paid in full and final settlement of all claims. Both of these issues have already been decided by the UK courts.

Iran: Baha'i Faith

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the detention of Jinous Sobhani in Iran.

Alistair Burt: I am aware of the case of Jinous Sobhani, reportedly sentenced to two years' imprisonment in Iran. I have not received any recent reports from the Iranian authorities on her case, but have asked my officials to investigate her situation. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have repeatedly expressed our concern at the human rights situation in Iran. Last week, our ambassador in Tehran raised our concerns about the fate of human rights defenders directly with the Iranian authorities.

Iran: Baha'i Faith

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the imprisonment of  (a) Haleh Rouhi,  (b) Sasan Taqva and  (c) Raha Sabet in Iran.

Alistair Burt: I am aware of reports that Haleh Rouhi, Sasan Taqva and Raha Sabet, three Baha'is, have been detained in Shiraz in Iran. I have not received any recent report from the Iranian authorities on their cases, but have asked my officials to investigate their situation. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have repeatedly expressed our concern at the situation of the Baha'i community in Iran, and urged the Government of Iran to cease all harassment of all religious groups.

Iran: Baha'i Faith

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Iranian government on the imprisonment of the Baha'i leaders Mrs Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr Afif Naimi, Mr Saeid Rezaie, Mrs Mahvash Sabet, Mr Behrouz Tavakkoli and Mr Vahid Tizfahm.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the government of Iran on the imprisonment in Iran of leaders of the Baha'i faith.

Alistair Burt: I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing detention of seven leaders of the Baha'i faith in Iran. I raised their cases with the Iranian ambassador in London immediately following their sentencing to 20 years in prison in August. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also highlighted their plight in a statement, expressing our concerns about the serious flaws in due process in this case and describing the sentence as unacceptable. I highlighted our concerns again in a statement in November. We continue to call on the Government of Iran to urgently review their case, and to ensure that no-one in Iran faces imprisonment simply for practising their faith.

Iran: Capital Punishment

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Iranian Government on the stoning for adultery of  (a) Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and  (b) other women.

Alistair Burt: I have repeatedly raised the plight of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani with the Iranian authorities, as have my officials in Tehran and London. We have expressed our concern at the serious flaws in her case, including lack of proper legal representation, the use of televised confessions and lack of transparency in the legal process. We have also expressed our complete opposition to the implementation of the death penalty in any form and in any circumstances, and in particular to the horrific punishment of stoning. We continue to urge the Iranian authorities to ensure her case is properly conducted in line with due process, and that the death penalty is not applied in any form.

Iran: North Korea

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the level of  (a) military and  (b) nuclear co-operation between Iran and North Korea; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The UK remains deeply concerned by both Iran's and North Korea's nuclear programmes. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) network of proliferation activities, including to countries such as Iran, are a threat to regional and international security. The UN Panel of Experts to the 1718 Sanctions Committee published a midterm report in November 2010, which indicated that Iran and the DPRK were co-operating in the development of ballistic missiles.
	We strongly support the tough sanctions imposed by UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874, which are designed to curb the range of weapons of mass destruction and conventional arms related proliferation activities undertaken by the DPRK. UN Security Council Resolution 1929 also requires countries to take steps to ensure that shipments of weapons and proliferation sensitive goods en route to Iran are stopped. We continue to work closely with international partners to ensure that these measures are robustly implemented.

Iran: Nuclear Weapons

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what steps he  (a) has taken and  (b) plans to take in the next two years to ensure that shipments of illegal weapons do not reach Iran; what discussions he has had with his UN counterparts on such issues; what has been the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps he has taken to prevent Iran from contravening the provisions of UN Security Council Resolutions; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The UK was a key player in securing UN Security Council Resolution 1929 in June 2010 which imposed strong sanctions on Iran. These include the requirement for all states to ensure that shipments of weapons and proliferation sensitive goods to Iran are stopped. We are committed to implementing these sanctions robustly and are working closely with our international partners and through the 1737 Sanctions Committee to this end:
	http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1737/index.shtml

Iran: Nuclear Weapons

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received from the International Atomic Energy Agency on any development of atomic weapons by Iran; what discussions he had at the United Nations on this issue since September 2010; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Alistair Burt: The most recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General was issued on 23 November 2010. The report sets out the key concerns of the IAEA about Iran's nuclear intentions and reiterates that there has been no Iranian co-operation with the IAEA on "possible military dimensions" to Iran's programme since August 2008. The agency makes clear that it
	'remains concerned about the possible existence in Iran of past or current undisclosed nuclear related activities, involving military related organizations, including activities relating to the development of a payload for a missile.'
	The UK discusses these issues regularly in the UN 1737 Sanctions Committee.
	http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1737/index.shtml

Iraq: Iran

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what report he has received on the observation of the human rights of Iranian refugees detained in Camp Ashraf.

Alistair Burt: We have received reports from the United Nations and the Government of Iraq on the situation in Camp Ashraf in recent weeks. The United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq have reported that the Iraqi Government have refused to allow some items such as stationery, beds and bicycles into the camp. However the Iraqi army, present inside the camp, have told us that food, water and medical supplies have been allowed to enter. Within the camp there is a hospital to which the residents have access.
	The Iraqi Government have given assurances to us that no Ashraf residents will be forcibly transferred to a country where they have reason to fear persecution, or where substantial grounds exist to believe they would be tortured.
	We continue to encourage both sides to engage in constructive dialogue that can lead to a lasting resolution to the residents' current situation.

Iraq: Politics and Government

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Iraq.

Alistair Burt: The political situation in Iraq has been largely uncertain since the March 2010 elections. However, the appointments on 11 November 2010 of the Speaker of the Council of Representatives Usama al Nujaifi, President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki constitute an important step towards stability. President Talabani has formally invited Prime Minister Maliki to form a Government. We have urged the Iraqis to complete this process swiftly and focus its attention on the multiple challenges facing Iraq, including the security situation.
	The security situation in Iraq remains a concern. But despite continued terrorist attacks, it is important not to lose sight of the progress that Iraq has made. There remain those opposed to progress and intent on stirring up sectarian tension, but the March 2010 elections and the recent progress towards Government formation have demonstrated the determination of the Iraqi people to follow the path of dialogue and democracy over violence and destruction.

Ivory Coast: Elections

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects on regional peace and stability of the recent election dispute in Ivory Coast.

Henry Bellingham: As well as our concern for the internal stability of Cote d'Ivoire as a result of the current political crisis, there are risks to the wider region. There are large communities of Burkinabe and Malian nationals living in Cote d'Ivoire. There is a possibility that there would be a large flow of refugees to those countries should the current situation in Cote d'Ivoire deteriorate into widespread conflict. The Liberian authorities have also expressed concern that former rebels might seek to become involved in the situation in Cote d'Ivoire. The British Government will continue to stay in close touch with the governments of the region as well as the Economic Community of West African States to monitor regional concerns.

Lebanon: Peacekeeping Operations

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of  (a) the security situation in southern Lebanon and  (b) the role of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon in maintaining peace and security in Southern Lebanon.

Alistair Burt: The situation in southern Lebanon remains calm since the border clash on 3 August. We continue to call on all parties to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution UNSCR 1701, which calls for full respect by Israel for Lebanon's territorial integrity, and the disarmament of Hezbollah and other militias. We continue to work with Lebanon, regional and international partners to see UNSCR 1701 implemented.
	The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) continues to play a critical role in contributing to the peace and stability in southern Lebanon, as demonstrated by their actions to prevent the border clashes between the Lebanese armed forces and Israeli defence forces on 3 August 2010 from escalating.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken with his international counterparts to encourage Hamas to  (a) accept the Quartet Principles and  (b) join the peace negotiation process; what response he has received to such steps from Hamas; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to my response of 22 November 2010,  Official Report, column 77W.
	Hamas' ideology of violence directly undermines prospects for peace in the region. We will continue to call on Hamas, with international partners, to take immediate and concrete steps towards the Quartet principles and to release Gilad Shalit unconditionally.
	Recent statements from Hamas show no signs that it is moving in this direction.

Nagorno Karabakh

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the status of the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and the adjacent regions of Agdam, Kelbecer, Qubadli, Fizuli, Cerbrayil, Zengilan and Lacin; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: The UK does not recognise Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state. The future status of Nagorno-Karabakh and the security of the seven named regions are vital questions that Armenia and Azerbaijan must address as part of finding a peaceful settlement to this conflict. The UK continues to encourage both parties to make the necessary political compromises in order to achieve this. The UK further supports the efforts of the Minsk Group to deliver such a settlement on the basis of international norms and principles.

North East

Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers of his Department have visited the North East since their appointment; and what the  (a) date and  (b) purpose was of each such visit.

Alistair Burt: No Ministers have visited the North East of England since their appointment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office this year.

Office of UK Permanent Representative to EC

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date the contract of employment of the UK Permanent Representative to the EU will come up for renewal.

Alistair Burt: The UK Permanent Representative to the EU is an established member of HM Diplomatic Service and, as such, has a permanent contract of employment with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The current Permanent Representative's posting is scheduled to last for four years from 2007. But a number of factors, such as the need to ensure continuity and the availability of any replacement, could affect the exact timing of their departure.

Public Expenditure

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what his Department's capital expenditure per head was in  (a) London and  (b) the North West in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how much and what proportion of his Department's capital expenditure was allocated to  (a) London and  (b) the north-west in each of the last five financial years.

Alistair Burt: The vast majority of capital expenditure by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) occurs outside the United Kingdom in order to support our global network of more than 250 posts overseas. These funds help ensure that our staff operate effectively and safely around the world.
	Her Majesty's Treasury produced a Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses Command Paper (PESA 2010, CM 7890) earlier this year which is available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/pesa_2010_complete.pdf
	According to the methodology used in that paper (which allocates departmental spending to regions based on who benefits from that spending, rather than where the spending takes place), per capita capital spending by the wider FCO family, including the BBC World Service but excluding the British Council in the financial years 2005-06 to 2009-10 was calculated as £0.10, £0.09, £0.11, £0.05, and £0.06 in both London and the north-west.
	On the same basis, the proportion of overall capital FCO spend in London in the financial years 2005-06 to 2009-10 was successively 0.5%, 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.2%, and 0.2%. In the north-west, it was 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.4%, 0.2% and 0.2%.

Russia: Human Rights

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of  (a) levels of (i) press freedom and (ii) freedom of association and  (b) observance of the right of assembly in the Russian Federation.

David Lidington: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed these issues with civil society groups during his visit to Moscow in October 2010. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to monitor these issues closely.
	Freedom of assembly and strong, independent media and civil society are essential to foster and protect democratic freedoms in Russia, as elsewhere.
	We will continue to raise these issues with Russia, both in our bilateral contacts and with our EU partners.

Russia: Human Rights

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the level of respect for human rights in the Russian Federation.

David Lidington: During his visit to Moscow in October 2010 my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed human rights issues with Russian non-governmental organisations and the Russian Government. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office assesses the human rights situation in the Russian Federation on an ongoing basis. Our view remains as set out in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 19 July 2010,  Official Report, column 62W, to the hon. Member for Ilford South (Mike Gapes).

Russia: Prisoners

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of the Russian Federation on the case of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev.

David Lidington: The Government are closely watching developments in the case of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev, and have noted the decision of the court to postpone the opening of the verdict reading until 27 December 2010. It is not for the Government to comment on ongoing judicial processes. However, we have consistently stressed to the Russian authorities the importance of fair and impartial trials, including through the EU and during our annual bilateral human rights dialogue.

South America: Diplomatic Service

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) UK-based and  (b) locally-employed staff his Department employs in its embassy in (i) Lima, (ii) Bogota, (iii) Buenos Aires, (iv) Santiago de Chile, (v) La Paz, (vi) Mexico City and (vii) Caracas.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office employs approximately 45 staff in the British embassy in Lima, 80 staff in the British embassy in Bogota, 65 staff in the British embassy in Buenos Aires, 55 staff in the British embassy in Santiago, 25 staff in the British embassy in La Paz, 110 staff in the British embassy in Mexico City and 50 staff in the British embassy in Caracas. These figures include UK-based civil servants and locally employed staff. For operational and security reasons, we cannot provide a more detailed breakdown.

Sri Lanka: Politics and Government

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of recent reports that the Sri Lankan government has considered banning the Tamil version of that country's national anthem.

Alistair Burt: The Sri Lankan Government has announced that it would adhere to the constitutional status of the national anthem. According to the Sri Lankan constitution; the national anthem of the Republic of Sri Lanka shall be "Sri Lanka Matha". This is the Sinhalese version. It is unclear how this affects the Tamil version.
	We regularly talk to the Sri Lankan Government on minority issues and the necessity to protect the rights of the minorities. We continue to urge them to take forward national reconciliation through a fully inclusive political process that addresses the underlying causes of the conflict.

Sri Lanka: State Visits

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost to the public purse was of the recent visit to the UK of the President of Sri Lanka.

Alistair Burt: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (Nick Herbert) gave him on 13 December 2010,  Official Report, column 547W.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office incurred no costs due to the President's visit.

Sudan: Referendums

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had on ensuring a peaceful referendum in South Sudan and Abyei in January 2011.

Henry Bellingham: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary led discussions on Sudan at a special session of the United Nations Security Council on 16 November 2010. He also participated in a discussion of Sudan at the European Foreign Affairs Council on 13 December 2010. He has raised the issue of Sudan with other international and regional contacts. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to Vice President Taha on 13 December 2010. I spoke to Vice President Kiir on 5 December 2010.
	In all these discussions, we have stressed the need for the Southern Referendum to go ahead as scheduled on 9 January 2011 and our long-term commitment to stability and security in both Northern and Southern Sudan, whatever its outcome. We support the work of Thabo Mbeki as he hosts talks between North and South under African Union/United Nations auspices to discuss the Abyei region and wider Comprehensive Peace Agreement issues.

Sudan: Referendums

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the security situation in southern Sudan in advance of the planned referendum in January 2011.

Henry Bellingham: The security situation in Sudan is of serious concern, particularly along the north/south border. The Sudanese armed forces have targeted the Darfuri rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement, across the border in Southern Sudan. Tensions are particularly high in Abyei. The situation in Darfur also remains tense, making humanitarian access difficult. We call on all parties to refrain from violence.

Turkey: EU Enlargement

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of progress on the EU accession negotiations involving Turkey.

David Lidington: Turkey has made good progress this year on its accession process, with the September constitutional reform package addressing a number of accession priorities. The General Affairs Council on 14 December welcomed Turkey's continued commitment to the negotiation process and the political reform agenda. Turkey has opened 13 of the 35 accession chapters and has provisionally closed one chapter. Turkey faces challenges to its accession process as a result of its failure to open its ports to Cyprus and in the context of the wider Cyprus problem.

Uganda: Homosexuality

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Ugandan government on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

Henry Bellingham: Our high commission in Kampala have taken every appropriate opportunity to engage the Ugandan Government, including the Prime Minister and other Ministers, on this issue and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in Uganda more generally. We also supported a formal démarche by EU member states to the Ugandan Foreign Minister, and are continuing to raise our concerns with the Ugandan authorities.
	The British Government are opposed to any actions that have a negative impact on the human rights of Ugandans. This includes the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, tabled by a private Member, which would further criminalise homosexuality if passed into law.

TREASURY

Bank Levy

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of revenue which would accrue to the Exchequer as a result of setting the bank balance sheet levy applicable to assets over £20 billion at 0.075% in  (a) 2010-11,  (b) 2011-12,  (c) 2012-13,  (d) 2013-14,  (e) 2014-15 and  (f) 2015-16.

David Gauke: Setting the rate of the Bank Levy at 0.075% from 2011 onwards produces estimated yields of £1.9 billion for 2011-12 and £2.5 billion for 2012-13. These estimates are made on the same basis as the updated costings published in the Tax Information and Impacts Note (TIIN) and are not certified by the Office for Budget Responsibility. These estimates have not taken account of any behavioural effect which might result from such a change to the rate. The yield figures for 2013-14 onwards are the same as those published in the TIIN.

Cheques: Rural Areas

Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects on  (a) elderly people and  (b) those living in rural areas of the withdrawal of cheques.

Mark Hoban: I refer the hon. Member to my letter of 10 December 2010 to all Members of the House setting out the Government's position on cheques.

Consumer Price Index

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the merits of changing the methodology for the calculation of the consumer price index to take account of changes in the level of  (a) owner-occupied housing costs,  (b) council tax,  (c) the television licence fee and  (d) motor vehicle excise duty.

Justine Greening: The coverage and classification of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) are based on the international classification system for household consumption expenditures, which recommends certain transactions such as taxes, other transfers, or capital and financial transactions should be excluded from the CPI index. The exclusions include council tax, vehicle excise duty and television licence fees. More information on the CPI is available at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/CPI_Technical_manual-2010.pdf
	For owner-occupied housing costs, the Chancellor has asked the Governor of the Bank of England for his views on how the process to include housing costs into the CPI can be accelerated. The independent Office for National Statistics (ONS), along with the national statistical offices of other European member states are working with the Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat), to assess the most appropriate approach for including an index of owner-occupier housing costs in the CPI in the future. Alongside this international agenda the CPI Advisory Committee, which is considering the issue of housing costs in the CPI, recommended to the UK Statistics Authority in its annual report on 3 November that ONS should develop housing cost indices using the net acquisitions and rental equivalence approaches.

Corporation Tax

Mike Freer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on corporation tax receipts of the removal of the salary sacrifice concession for travel and subsistence from assessments of business compliance with the national minimum wage.

David Gauke: There is no salary sacrifice concession for travel and subsistence. Consequently no assessment has been made of the effect on corporation tax receipts of the removal of such a concession.

Debts: Advisory Services

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the merits of establishing a statutory licensing scheme for debt management companies.

Edward Davey: I have been asked to reply.
	All who provide debt management services are required to be licensed under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Where the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has evidence of unfair practices, action can be taken to refuse or revoke or place conditions on the consumer credit licence of those concerned.
	Following a review of compliance with its Debt Management Guidance, in September 2010 the OFT warned 129 debt management firms about identified non-compliant business practices. The firms were instructed to produce independently audited evidence confirming action that they have taken to address the identified areas of non compliance by the middle of December, and of the 129 firms, approximately 32 have indicated that they will surrender their licences, 87 firms have agreed to comply and the OFT have initiated revocation action against 10 traders, but these figures may well change.

Debts: Advisory Services

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the merits of setting minimum standards for the provision of debt advisory services.

Edward Davey: I have been asked to reply.
	All who provide debt advisory services are required to be licensed by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. The OFT's Debt Management Guidance (which was issued in 2001 and updated in September 2008) sets out minimum standards for debt management companies in the marketing of their services, pre-contract contact, the prevision of pre-contract information, contract terms, advice and the nature of the debt management service provided. Work to update the guidance to make sure the guidance addresses new developments in the market is underway and will be the subject of a public consultation in early 2011.
	Following a review of compliance with its debt management guidance significant action was taken by the OFT in September 2010 to warn 129 debt management firms about identified non-compliant business practices, including the provision of poor quality debt advice and information.

Debts: Advisory Services

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what quality standards his Department has established for the debt management industry to ensure that advice offered to prospective consumers of debt management services is in their best interests.

Edward Davey: I have been asked to reply.
	All who provide debt management services are required to be licensed under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has a duty to ensure that applicants for licences are fit to engage in the activities for which they wish to be licensed, and to monitor the continuing fitness of those to whom licences have been granted. The OFT's Debt Management Guidance sets out minimum standards for debt management companies in the marketing of their services, pre-contract contact, the provision of pre-contract information, contract terms, advice and the nature of the debt management service provided. Where the OFT has evidence of unfair practices, action can be taken to refuse or revoke or place conditions on the consumer credit licence of those concerned.

Departmental Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many invoices his Department processed in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

David Gauke: In 2009-10 HM Treasury processed 8,501 invoices on behalf of the Treasury Group which comprises HM Treasury, the Debt Management Office and the Asset Protection Agency,

Departmental Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what allowances and payments in addition to salary were available to officials in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; and what the monetary value was of payments and allowances of each type in each such year.

David Gauke: Details of allowances paid since 2005-08 are shown in the following table. Information on allowances paid in earlier years is not available within the disproportionate costs threshold. Rates of allowances will be frozen in line with the announced two year freeze in basic pay.
	
		
			  £000 
			  Allowance  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 Procurement - 1 16 21 25 
			 Temporary duties - - 2 0 - 
			 Cost of living (overseas) 46 43 44 63 65 
			 Hardship (low quality overseas accommodation) 1 - - - - 
			 Fast stream 1 5 11 15 5 
			 Other(non pensionable) 3 - - - - 
			 Additional performance - - 56 88 50 
			 Bursary (professional training) - 1 5 - - 
			 Language - - 10 9 9 
			 Responsibility 16 20 40 106 205 
			 Press Office 39 40 29 48 49 
			 Private Secretary 170 196 216 193 225 
			 Miscellaneous 4 7 18 28 18 
			 On call and stand by - - -- 0 0 
			 Typing proficiency 0 0 1 1 1 
			 Meals (for working after 8pm) 8 9 10 11 12 
			 Housing cost 10 7 9 3 3 
			 Excess rent (overseas) 9 - - - - 
			 London (for senior civil service band 1 staff) 184 175 147 150 167 
			 Internal audit 14 18 15 14 14 
			 Accountancy 36 37 65 63 66 
			 Clothing 5 1 2 1 - 
			 Indirect representation (overseas) 5 1 - - - 
			 Vehicle 2 1 2 - -

Departmental Pay

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff employed by his Department were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available.

Justine Greening: As at the end November, there were no staff employed by HM Treasury who were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the effect of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax on his Department's annual expenditure.

David Gauke: The effect of the forthcoming VAT increase has been taken into account for departmental budgets as defined in the spending review.

Financial Services: VAT

Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the effects on the level of value added tax receipts of the change from payment of independent financial advisers by commission to payment by fees from 2013.

David Gauke: The implications of this change, and across all taxes, are being considered by a Treasury Working Group. It is too early to assess any potential effect on VAT receipts.

Manpower

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many members of staff worked for his Department on the most recent date for which figures are available.

David Gauke: Staffing figures are published annually in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts. The total number of members of staff (full time equivalents) at 31 March 2010 was 1,350, as reported in the Annual Resource Accounts 2009-10.

Members: Correspondence

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Warley of 19 October 2010 on behalf of Mr York on beer taxation.

Justine Greening: I have replied to the right hon. Member.

Mortgage Express and Bradford and Bingley: Complaints

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints his Department received on  (a) Mortgage Express and  (b) Bradford and Bingley in the latest period in which figures are available.

Mark Hoban: HM Treasury received approximately 2,017 letters concerning Bradford and Bingley and Mortgage Express between 2003 and December 2010.
	The Department classifies cases based on their primary subject. The Department has not separately identified letters concerning Mortgage Express from those concerning Bradford and Bingley as Mortgage Express was a wholly owned subsidiary of Bradford and Bingley. Similarly this is an approximate figure as other letters may have included complaints about Bradford and Bingley but have been categorised under their primary subject.

Railways: Fares

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 15 November 2010,  Official Report, column 613W, on budgets: environmental protection, what assessment his Department made of the environmental impact of the implementation of the proposal in the Spending Review to increase the cap on regulated rail fares to three per cent. above the retail price index for three years from 2012.

Theresa Villiers: I have been asked to reply.
	In my answer of 10 November,  Official Report, column 334W, I explained the Department for Transport has not made a detailed estimate of the likely effects of increases in rail fares on transport emissions. Although the announced fare increases may encourage some limited reduction in the rate of growth of rail travel, the overall impact on carbon and air quality emissions is likely to be small.

Research and Development Tax Credit

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the future of the research and development tax credit.

David Gauke: holding answer 16 December 2010
	As a part of the plans for corporate tax reform, the Government published a consultation on the support R and D tax credits provide for innovation, including the proposals of the Dyson Review on 29 November 2010. The closing date for responses is 22 February 2011.

Tax Allowances: Aggregates

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to submit to the European Commission evidence on behalf of Northern Ireland representatives of the quarry industry in relation to the reintroduction of the aggregates credit relief scheme.

David Gauke: Since the European General Court judgment in September which annulled state aid approval for the aggregates levy credit scheme in Northern Ireland, officials have been engaging with the European Commission to pursue reintroduction of the scheme at the earliest opportunity. Following a meeting in October, the Commission asked for evidence by Christmas to inform its reconsideration of the suspended scheme and the scheme the Government are seeking to reintroduce. The Government sent a response on Wednesday 15 December.

Tax Credit

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households received tax credit awards in 2009-10.

David Gauke: As at April 2010, 6.3 million families, containing 10.2 million children, were tax credit recipients or were receiving the equivalent child support through benefits.
	This information is based on provisional snapshot data. More information on this data can be found at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-apr2010.pdf

Taxation: Pensioners

Tom Harris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether discretionary awards of  (a) a lump sum and  (b) annual compensation made to former employees by local authorities in accordance with part III of the Local Government (Discretionary Payments and Injury Benefits) (Scotland) Regulations 1998 will be (i) treated by HM Revenue and Customs as pension payments for the purposes of the revised annual allowance and life time allowance and (ii) taxable under the reformed system for pensions tax relief to be introduced from April 2011.

Mark Hoban: The tax treatment of any payment under the Local Government (Discretionary Payments and Injury Benefits) (Scotland) Regulations 1998 will depend on the nature of the particular payment and how it is paid. If paid out of the local government superannuation scheme, it will be subject to the registered pension scheme tax rules whether paid before or after April 2011, including any potential interaction with the annual allowance and lifetime allowance.
	This is a complex area and if the hon. Member wants further information about the tax treatment of these sorts of payments then I suggest he contacts HMRC at:
	pensions.policy@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Written Questions: Government Responses

William Cash: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to provide a substantive answer to question 29295, on the European Financial Stability Mechanism, tabled on 2 December 2010 for named day answer on 7 December 2010.

Mark Hoban: I have replied to the hon. Member.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Biomass Importation

Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the  (a) ability of the UK to be self-sufficient in the production of biomass and  (b) effects on energy security of biomass importation; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: Biomass has a greater range of uses than just energy production. For example it can also be used to provide a wide range of renewable raw materials and therefore has a significant role to play in the development of a low carbon economy. However, sustainable biomass is likely to be an important contributor to our renewable energy ambitions. Analysis undertaken last year suggested that heat and electricity from biomass could provide nearly a third of UK needs from renewables by 2020 (about 4.5% of overall energy demand). Delivering our ambition for renewables will not be easy, we will need to ensure that the available mix of biomass feedstocks, both imported and domestically sourced, is sustainable and secure if we are to meet these ambitions.
	The Department has not assessed the UK's ability to be self sufficient in the production of biomass. However, estimates provided by E4Tech in 2009 considered the technical potential for domestic biomass production for bioenergy and suggested a maximum technical UK supply of almost 700PJ in 2020, raising to 900PJ in 2030.
	Analysis undertaken suggested that we could need around 350-400PJ of solid biomass to meet the deployment trajectories in the heat and electricity sectors.
	Security of biomass and sustainability are very important. Together with domestic biomass feedstocks, sustainably sourced imported biomass is expected to play a key role in helping to meet our renewable energy targets. Through our proposals on the renewables obligation and electricity market reform we are providing the transparency longevity and certainty that industry requires to allow it to establish robust, sustainable and efficient supply chains; with long term supply contracts, sourcing from more than one country and ensuring that domestic production is maximised where it is sustainable and feasible.

Carbon Emissions

Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate his Department has made of the direct carbon dioxide emissions in kilograms per megawatt hour arising from the combustion of  (a) wood chip in large-scale installations and  (b) hard coal.

Gregory Barker: Estimates in the UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory funded by the Department indicate that large-scale combustion of coal and of wood produce direct carbon dioxide emissions of about 309 and 367 kg C02 per megawatt hour of thermal energy released, respectively.
	However, in the case of biomass that is sustainably grown the carbon dioxide released on combustion will be removed over several decades by replanting and regrowth. For fossil fuels there is no equivalent process of carbon removal as their formation requires millions of years rather than decades. Therefore it is the assessments of emissions over the wider lifecycle that are important when comparing biomass with coal, including cultivation, processing and transportation.
	This is why we are introducing sustainability criteria for biomass, under the renewables obligation, that include a greenhouse gas lifecycle assessment.

Departmental Pay

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many staff employed by his Department were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gregory Barker: At 30 November 2010 the Department for Energy and Climate change had no staff who earned less than the London living wage of £7.85 per hour.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the effect of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax on his Department's annual expenditure.

Gregory Barker: I estimate that the Department will pay around £450,000 more in irrecoverable VAT in 2011-12 than in 2010-11 as a result of the changed VAT rate.
	Departmental spending review settlements are set on a tax-inclusive basis, including the increase to the standard rate of VAT and that departments can recover the VAT on some contracted cut services.

Energy Supply

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the availability of gas and fuel oil supplies to domestic customers during the recent winter weather; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: holding answer 16 December 2010
	The recent episode of very severe weather has led to significant disruption to road networks and resulted in a backlog of fuel supply deliveries for the heating oil and LPG industry across parts of the UK; heating oil and LPG suppliers are working hard to address delivery backlogs. The Government have provided a temporary relaxation of regulations governing drivers' hours which will help suppliers to make up backlogs and meet seasonal customer demand.

Energy Supply

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the implications for commercial landlords of the European Court of Justice's ruling on the provision of third party access to licence exempt electricity and gas networks.

Charles Hendry: The European Court of Justice's ruling means that all licence exempt electricity and gas networks owned by commercial landlords, such as ports, will be required by law to provide third party access on request to give consumers a choice of electricity and/or gas supplier.
	Where meters are required or upgrading is necessary to facilitate third party access, the costs associated with such work will ultimately be met by the customer or the prospective third party supplier rather than the licence exempt network owner. The energy regulator, Ofgem, has confirmed that private network owners, including commercial landlords, will not be obliged to upgrade their networks or become licensed distributors in order to allow third party access.

Energy Supply

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the change in energy costs to consumers of electricity and gas which will arise from implementation of his proposals to ensure third party access to licence exempt electricity and gas networks in  (a) ports,  (b) railway stations,  (c) London Underground stations,  (d) industrial estates,  (e) marinas,  (f) airports and  (g) caravan parks.

Charles Hendry: The provision of third party access to unlicensed networks will enable consumers of those networks to take advantage of the competitive energy market by choosing their energy supplier. In their 2008 Energy Supply Probe the energy regulator, Ofgem, estimated that customers switching their energy supplier could make a saving of up to 6% on their energy costs.

Energy Supply

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for what reasons his Department's consultation on the provision of third party access to licence exempt electricity and gas networks lasted five weeks; how many consultations his Department has run which lasted  (a) less than six weeks,  (b) from six to 12 weeks and  (c) 12 weeks or more in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: DECC consultations follow the Government Code of Practice on Consultations
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/files/file47158.pdf
	This recommends that, under normal circumstances, consultations should last a minimum of 12 weeks but acknowledges that deviation from the code will, at times, be unavoidable when running a formal, written consultation.
	The five week period in this case was a final detailed consultation that followed both the formal 12 week consultation that set out the government's policy intentions and a call for evidence that sought stakeholder views. It also followed an extensive stakeholder engagement programme. The details of that programme, which included a workshop and numerous bilateral meetings, can be found in my reply to the hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick) on 6 December 2010,  Official Report, columns 11-12W.
	Since DECC was formed in October 2008, consultations have been run for the following periods:
	
		
			   Number of consultations 
			   12 weeks or longer  6-12 weeks  Less than 6 weeks 
			 2008 2 1 0 
			 2009 25 8 2 
			 2010 17 13 7

Fuel Poverty

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his most recent estimate is of the number of households in fuel poverty in  (a) North Tyneside constituency,  (b) the North East and  (c) the UK.

Gregory Barker: In 2006, the most recent year for which sub-regional figures are available, there were around 6,000 fuel poor households in the North Tyneside constituency.
	In 2008, there were 236,000 fuel poor households in the north-east and 4.5 million fuel poor households in the UK.

Fuel Poverty: Finance

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will consider the merits of an adapted Green Deal finance mechanism to provide for a third party to meet the repayment charges for fuel-poor households in whole or in part; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: The Green Deal finance mechanism sets out that repayments must be made through the energy bill. However it does not prevent a third party meeting the Green Deal part of a household's energy bill.
	We are also designing the new Energy Company Obligation to ensure that further support is available under the Green Deal for those in need of additional help, including low income vulnerable households and those in hard to treat properties.
	Energy suppliers currently have an obligation to protect vulnerable consumers and to assist those who are struggling to pay for their bills. All existing protections in the gas and electricity market for vulnerable consumers will be extended to Green Deal repayments.

Renewable Energy

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the proportion of commercial properties which have solar panels.

Charles Hendry: The Department does not hold information on the overall number of commercial properties that have installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.
	The main support for solar PV panels is the feed-in-tariffs (FITs). OFGEM provides data on installations accredited for FITs by technology, which can be viewed at:
	https://www.renewablesandchp.ofgem.gov.uk/Default.aspx
	As at 3 December 2010, there were 109 commercial installations claiming FITs.

Renewable Energy

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the potential role of small and medium-sized businesses in providing electricity from solar sources; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: No quantitative assessment has been made of the potential role of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in generating electricity from solar sources. However, an impact assessment supporting the start of the UK's feed-in tariffs (FITs) scheme offers projections of installations in the commercial sector, available at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/publications/basket.aspx?FilePath =Consultations%5cRenewable+Electricity+Financial +Incentives%5cl_20100204103559_e_%40%40_FITsImpact AssessmentaccompanyingGovernmentResponse.pdf&filetype=4
	The impact assessment confirms that FITs will create new opportunities for SMEs which install small-scale low-carbon electricity generating technologies. Technologies supported by FITs include solar photovoltaics.

Renewable Energy

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has any plans to establish regional strategies for the production of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: We have made a clear commitment in our Coalition programme for government to give more power to local communities to shape the environment in which they live. The Localism Bill published on 13 December 2010 sets out proposals which will underpin this power shift, including the abolition of regional spatial strategies.
	DECC is funding nine renewable and low carbon capacity assessment studies, covering England. The results of these studies will help local authorities identify and maximise opportunities for renewable energy deployment in their areas. The results of all nine studies should be available by next spring.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many milliwatt hours of renewable electricity has been generated by each micro technology under the feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme since its inception; how much of that energy has been generated in Yorkshire; and how much FIT funding has been paid for each of these technologies.

Charles Hendry: The FITs scheme began in April 2010, and information on FITs funding is not yet available in the form requested. However, the Ofgem statistics confirm that FITs payments made over the first two quarters of the scheme were £182,059 (April-June) and £2,504,712.55 (July-September).
	Information on the number of installations registered for feed-in tariffs (FITs), broken down by technology and geographical location, is available from Ofgem at:
	https://www.renewablesandchp.ofgem.gov.uk
	Statistics from Ofgem on the first six months of the FITs scheme, available at:
	www.ofgem.gov.uk/fits
	includes a map showing the regional breakdown of FITs activity. This shows that in Yorkshire and the Humber, 4.336 MW of installed capacity was registered for FITs.

River Severn: Tidal Power

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  from what budgets funding was drawn for the Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study; and how much funding each organisation contributed under each budget heading in respect of that study;
	(2)  what his most recent estimate is of the cost to the public purse of the Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study.

Charles Hendry: The cost to the public purse of the Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study is expected to be £6.355 million. This is the cost of external research studies and technology development support and does not include the administration costs of the cross-Government STP team, led by DECC.
	The above figure is broken down as follows, drawn from the budget headings indicated:
	DECC-£5.646 million from the Environmental Transformation Fund
	DEFRA-£325,000 from the Climate Change Mitigation Programme
	WAG-£213,000 from the Economic Research line within the Economic Policy budget and from the Environment Sustainability and Housing Main Expenditure Group
	SWRDA-£171,000 from their general budget.

Sheffield Forgemasters: Finance

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2010,  Official Report, column 523W, on Sheffield Forgemasters, whether he has had discussions with his ministerial colleagues on Sheffield Forgemasters since the collective Government decision not to proceed with the loan to the company on the grounds of affordability was taken.

Charles Hendry: Yes. Following the decision not to proceed with the loan we had discussions about the possibility of the company being able to secure private sector investment to enable them to take the project forward.

Solar Power

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2010,  Official Report, column 676W, on solar power, if he will publish the minutes of his meeting with Renewables UK and the microgeneration sector on 24 November 2010; and whether any actions were agreed upon as a result of that meeting.

Charles Hendry: There are no formal minutes of the stakeholder briefing and discussion session on feed-in tariffs (FITs) that the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Gregory Barker) hosted on 24 November 2010. The event considered the spending review commitment on FITs, including the possibility of an early review being triggered by higher than expected uptake. It also considered possible approaches to setting this trigger.
	Attendees were invited to follow-up in writing with further thoughts and to indicate any interest in future involvement. Ministers are reflecting on feedback from the event and the Department will confirm the way forward in the near future.

Tidal Power: Wave Power

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has to provide capital funding for commercial deployment of wave and tidal energy technologies following the withdrawal of the Marine Renewables Deployment Fund.

Charles Hendry: The funding for marine energy demonstration is being treated in the same way as all departmental innovation funding streams in the light of the spending review.
	The Government are currently developing its detailed plans for the allocation of the £200 million to support the development of energy technologies announced in the spending review-and measures to support wave and tidal technologies are being considered as part of that process.

Warm Front Scheme

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the proportion of households in fuel poverty who are eligible for assistance under the Warm Front scheme.

Gregory Barker: The latest available figures for England (2008) show that around 34% of fuel poor households are eligible for Warm Front under the existing eligibility criteria(1).
	(1 )Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2010 (DECC).

Warm Front Scheme

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households received grants through the Warm Front scheme  (a) nationally and  (b) in Liverpool, Wavertree constituency in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Gregory Barker: The following table shows the number of households assisted by the Warm Front scheme nationally and in the constituency of Liverpool, Wavertree in 2009-10:
	
		
			  Households, 2009-10 
			   Number 
			 National 212,963 
			 Liverpool, Wavertree 1,238

Warm Front Scheme

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the likely effect on the number of fuel poor households of changes to the funding for the Warm Front scheme.

Gregory Barker: The Warm Front scheme is expected to assist approximately 170,000 households in 2010-11. As announced in the spending review, DECC will fund a smaller, more targeted Warm Front scheme over the next two years and has estimated that the scheme will assist approximately 57,000 households in 2011-12, and 50,000 in 2012-13.

Warm Front Scheme

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of work carried out under the Warm Front scheme was completed within six months of commencement in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gregory Barker: In 2009-10, the Warm Front scheme completed 92.8% of heating installations and 99.5% of insulation installations within six months.

Wind Power

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many wind turbines were retro-fitted to properties in each year since 2005.

Charles Hendry: The Department does not hold information on the overall number of wind turbines fitted to existing properties. Under the previous "Low Carbon Building Programme" (2005-10), the following grants were made for small wind turbines which were not new builds.
	
		
			  Number of  g rants 
			   2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  Total 
			 Householders 0 20 439 99 109 667 
			 Non-domestic 0 0 0 7 33 40 
			 Total 0 20 439 106 142 707 
		
	
	
		
			  Value of  g rants 
			   2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010 
			 Householders 0 89,563 964,683 212,916 255,648 1,522,810 
			 Non-domestic 0 0 0 98,227 411,669 509,896 
			 Total 0 89,563 964,683 311,143 667,317 2,032,706 
		
	
	Domestic, commercial and community installations of wind turbines can claim the feed-in tariffs (FITs). Ofgem is providing live data on installations accredited for FITs by technology which can be viewed at:
	https://www.renewablesandchp.ofgem.gov.uk/Default.aspx
	This online information includes some wind turbine installations funded under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.

Wood

Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  whether his Department has made an estimate of the level of global  (a) supplies and  (b) demand for wood chip and pellet-derived biomass in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) the next five years;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the likely level of demand for wood fibre arising from the construction of large-scale biomass power plants in the next 10 years.

Charles Hendry: Wood fibre in the form of wood chip, pellet or log is one of several forms of biomass that can be used to produce renewable energy.
	Based on an IEA study, estimates of global supplies of woody biomass have been provided by E4Tech. This indicates that current supplies available for bioenergy are around 7,000 PJ, doubling to about 14,000 PJ by 2015. This report is available at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/what%20we%20do/uk%20energy%20supply/energy%20mix/renewable%20energy/renewable%20energy%20strategy/1_20090716112412_e_@@_ e4techbiomasssupplycurvesfortheukurn09d690.pdf
	The Department is currently updating this information, aiming to publish revised figures early next year.
	Information is also published by the UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section, providing forest resource analyses and forestry sector outlooks.
	The Department has not carried out an analysis of global demand for wood fibre. However, the IEA 2009 report: Bioenergy a Sustainable and Reliable Energy Source, summarises available analyses on biomass availability to 2050. This reports that currently biomass supplies some 50,000PJ (1.2Gtoe) of energy globally per year.
	Current estimates suggest that in the UK, there is 784 MW of new bioelectricity capacity under construction; 1,710 MW of new capacity that has been through planning consent and is awaiting construction; and 3,535 MW of new capacity is under planning consideration. This information is taken from the Renewable Energy Planning Database which is regularly updated.
	Assuming all this capacity became operational, this would result in a maximum total demand for biomass of around 600PJ, equivalent to 32Mt wood, including demand from existing generators. However, these plants would use a variety of biomass feedstocks, including wastes, sewage, straw, energy crops and forest products including residues.

Wood

Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations on financial support for biomass energy generation his Department has received from representatives of the wood processing industry.

Charles Hendry: On 13 September, the Minister for Climate Change, my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Gregory Barker), met representatives of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Wood Panel Industry and the Wood Panel Industries Federation (WPIF). A wide range of issues, including the financial incentives for bioenergy generation, were raised at the meeting.
	DECC officials have also met representatives from the wood processing industries. The WPIF, the Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor) and the Confederation of Paper Industries have responded to recent consultations such as the Renewable Heat Incentive or regarding changes to the Renewables Obligation. Their responses are available from the DECC website.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Armed Forces and Police

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of retention rates in the Afghan National  (a) Army and  (b) Police in 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: We are making good progress on growing the Afghan National Security Forces and are currently ahead of schedule for meeting the target of 171,600 Afghan National Army and 134,000 Afghan national police by the end of 2011.
	Retention is a matter for the Government of Afghanistan but we will continue to work closely with them to help build their capacity and capability.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects winter clothing to be issued to members of the armed forces stationed in Kabul.

Peter Luff: Service personnel who will require winter clothing for use in Afghanistan are either issued it prior to their deployment or in theatre when weather conditions necessitate it. There is no shortage of winter clothing for troops in Afghanistan and Commanders are able to draw upon stocks of winter clothing in theatre if necessary, for example if an item is lost or damaged.

Armed Forces: Redundancy

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely effect on standing commitments of the redundancies in the  (a) Army,  (b) Royal Navy and  (c) RAF announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Liam Fox: The Strategic Defence and Security Review sets out the requirements for the armed forces' contribution to standing commitments and identifies the re-structured forces we will need over the next 10 years to meet them. Changes in manpower in the three services will not affect our non-discretionary standing commitments. We will make manpower reductions in a structured way to protect operational capabilities.

Army: Manpower

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what budgetary allocations he has made for an army of 96,000; if he will assess the affordability of an army of that strength; what estimate he has made of the allocation required for an army of 82,000; and what budgetary allocations he has made for the army in each year to 2015 as a result of the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) made estimates of the cost savings which could result from the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) for the purposes of formulating policy. Final budgetary allocations are subject to the ongoing planning process. Until that process is complete, the MOD is unable to release more detailed figures.

British Overseas Territories: Navy

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on naval operations in British Overseas Territories of changes to Royal Navy capability resulting from the outcome of the strategic defence and security review; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: The Government reiterated our commitment to the defence of the UK's overseas territories in the strategic defence and security review. The Royal Navy is a modern, powerful and capable force and remains able to deploy a taskforce worldwide in support of our national interests. Inevitably, with fewer ships there will have to be some reduction in activity, but the Royal Navy will continue to send ships to priority regions such as the north and south Atlantic, the Indian ocean and the Gulf.

Departmental Consultants

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on consultants since 1 May 2010.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 16 December 2010
	The Ministry of Defence has spent £13.42 million on consultants in the period 1 May to 30 October 2010, the latest period for which information is available; this figure includes MOD trading fund agencies. The majority of the expenditure was the result of contracts placed prior to 24 May 2010, the start of the Consultancy Moratorium enacted by the Coalition Government.
	Consultancy covers management consultancy, specialist lawyers, commercial bankers and IT expertise.

Departmental Energy

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the recommended ambient room temperature is for offices on his Department's estate.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence does not mandate a recommended ambient room temperature for its offices on the Defence estate beyond ensuring that the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings is in accordance with the requirements of the Approved Codes of Practice to the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 which require a minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius when offices are occupied.
	It is up to heads of establishment at individual buildings to determine what the ambient temperature should be providing that the minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius is achieved.

Departmental Information Officers

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many press and communication posts in his Department are remunerated at  (a) between £50,000 and £99,999 and  (b) £100,000 or over.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 13 December 2010
	Our records indicate that in March 2010, 52 press and communication posts across Defence were remunerated at between £50,000 and £99,999. These posts are across the military and civilian defence community, in the UK and overseas in Headquarters and in the single Service units.
	A further 109 posts were filled by military ranks or civilian grades for which the salary range straddled £50,000. The range of salaries that these posts could have been paid is between £45,190 and £56,078. It is not possible to say how many of these individuals were paid more than £50,000.
	There was one press and communications post remunerated at £100,000 or over, which is a military two-star appointment.
	We are taking a number of steps to reduce expenditure on defence media and communications. This will include further post reductions.

Departmental NDPBs

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many fixed-term appointments each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies has made since May 2010;
	(2)  what the average salary was of staff of each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies on fixed-term contracts in  (a) April 2010 and  (b) each subsequent month;
	(3)  what the total cost to his Department was of staff on fixed-term appointments in each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies in  (a) April 2010 and  (b) each subsequent month;
	(4)  what the total cost to his Department was for staff of each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies on fixed-term contracts in  (a) April 2010 and  (b) each subsequent month;
	(5)  how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies in  (a) April 2010 and  (b) each subsequent month.

Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies in  (a) April 2010 and  (b) each subsequent month;
	(2)  what the staff cost was of each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies in May 2010; and what estimate he has made of the likely cost in  (a) financial years (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and, (iii) 2013-14 and  (b) each year of the comprehensive spending review period.

Peter Luff: The Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, my hon. Friend the Member for South Leicestershire (Mr Robathan), will write to the hon. Members soon after the Christmas recess, to enable officials to collect the required data.

Departmental Pay

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff employed by his Department were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available.

Andrew Robathan: The London living wage is designed to ensure that the unemployed in London are better off in work than living on benefits. It is not a statutory requirement.
	Calculations have been made on base pay including separate London allowances (inner/outer London weighting).
	Excluding trading funds, there are 265 civilian staff employed in London by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) currently not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage. All MOD staff are paid above the statutory national minimum wage.

Departmental Redundancy

Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on redundancy costs since 1 May 2010.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 16 December 2010
	It will not be until the departmental resource accounts are published and laid before Parliament in July 2011 that it will be possible to give definitive figures for the current financial year.

Departmental Redundancy

Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the cost of redundancies in the Department in 2010-11.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 16 December 2010
	The financial provision made for redundancy and early release costs for the 2010-11 financial year amounts to £62 million.
	No firm forecast has yet been made of redundancy/early release costs for the comprehensive spending review.

Departmental Travel

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on use of the Government Car Service in each month since April 2010.

Peter Luff: Ministry of Defence (MOD) payments to the Government Car and Despatch Agency for use of the Government Car Service since April 2010 have been as follows:
	
		
			   Payment (£) 
			  2010  
			 April 0 
			 May 451 
			 June 0 
			 July 430 
			 August 215 
			 September 236 
			 October 215 
			 November 215 
		
	
	The MOD generally uses its own car pool for providing a car service to our Ministers, senior officials and Service officers, which gives us better value for money and operational flexibility.

European Defence Agency: Finance

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much funding the Government provided for the European Defence Agency in each year since 2005; and what proportion of the Agency's funding this figure represented in each such year.

Gerald Howarth: The amount paid by the Ministry of Defence to the European Defence Agency's budget in each year since 2005 and the proportion of the Agency's funding that the amounts represent are as follows:
	
		
			  Calendar year  £ million  Proportion of UK share to total Agency budget (percentage) 
			 2005 2.36 18.1 
			 2006 2.09 17.6 
			 2007 1.95 17.0 
			 2008 3.11 17.2 
			 2009 3.03 15.4 
			 2010 3.23 13.9

Military Aircraft

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 24 November 2010,  Official Report, columns 317-19W, on military aircraft, whether he estimated that the retention of 50 selected Harriers and 50 selected Tornados would be less costly than retaining 137 Tornados only; to what refitting in respect of the 15 Harrier GR9s which have returned from operations in Afghanistan he referred to in his answer; for what reason a mixed force of Harriers and Tornados has not been retained; if he will place in the Library a suitably redacted copy of the advice given to the Prime Minister on the fast jet fleet; and whether the final decision on retaining Tornados only was taken by  (a) the chiefs of staff,  (b) the National Security Council,  (c) the Cabinet and  (d) the Prime Minister.

Peter Luff: holding answer 16 December 2010
	The overriding factor in deciding between removing either the Tornado GR4 or Harrier was the ability to support operations in Afghanistan. A fleet of 50 Tornado and 50 Harrier aircraft would have been unable to maintain continuous support to operations in Afghanistan at current levels and maintain the ability to support concurrent operations. In addition, withdrawal of an aircraft type delivers greater savings than partial reductions, due to the fixed costs associated with supporting an aircraft platform; therefore running two smaller fleets would not have been cost-effective.
	When the 15 Harrier GR9 aircraft returned from their deployment to Afghanistan, the funding to support their urgent operational requirements ceased and as such this equipment was removed from the aircraft. If Harrier had been required to redeploy to Afghanistan, these capabilities would need to have been re-activated, either with new funding streams or replacements where they had been superseded and could have taken up to 18 months.
	In relation to release of further details regarding the military advice given to the Prime Minister, including savings estimates, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him, and to the hon. Member for Portsmouth North (Penny Mordaunt) on 24 November 2010,  Official Report, columns 317-19W.
	The Strategic Defence and Security Review decisions were taken by the National Security Council, chaired by the Prime Minister.

Military Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which aircraft are equipped with the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System; and whether the Nimrod MR4A aircraft was equipped with the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System.

Peter Luff: Aircraft currently equipped with the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) are as follows: Tornado F3, Typhoon, E-3D Sentry, Nimrod R1, Sentinel R1, VC10, TriStar, Hercules C130 and Sea King Mk7.
	In addition to those aircraft that currently have JTIDS, it is planned to install the system on the following aircraft in future: Tornado GR4, Joint Strike Fighter, Rivet Joint, FSTA and A400M.
	The Nimrod MRA4 would have also been equipped with JTIDS.

Military Bases

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what plans he has to consult  (a) local authorities,  (b) hon. Members,  (c) economic development agencies and  (d) the devolved administrations during his Department's base review;
	(2)  what methodology will be used to decide which bases will be recommended for  (a) closure and  (b) realignment under his Department's base review;
	(3)  what other Departments are being consulted as part of his Department's base review; and what information his Department has asked such departments to provide.

Nick Harvey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, my hon. Friend the Member for South Leicestershire (Mr Robathan) on 6 December 2010,  Official Report, column 8W, to the right hon. and learned Member for North East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell)

Military Bases

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent under each budgetary heading on running costs for each  (a) Royal Navy,  (b) Royal Marines and  (c) Army base in the UK (i) in each of the last five financial years and (ii) in 2010-11.

Peter Luff: The information requested is not held at that level of detail and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Through the implementation of the strategic defence and security review and the work of the Defence Reform Unit, we are seeking to better establish how costs are driven and to make more efficient use of resources. We expect the work on Defence Reform to report by July 2011.

Military Bases

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions he has met  (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and  (b) the Secretary of State for (i) Northern Ireland, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales and (iv) Communities and Local Government to discuss his Department's base review.

Liam Fox: I meet frequently with Cabinet colleagues to discuss a range of issues relating to the strategic defence and security review, including the implications for the Defence estate and basing. This will continue as will my officials' ongoing consultations on this subject with their colleagues in other Government Departments, and with trade unions, local councils and other external organisations.

Military Bases

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to review the continuance of RAF bases; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, my hon. Friend the Member for South Leicestershire (Mr Robathan) on 6 December 2010,  Official Report, column 8W, to the right hon. and learned Member for North East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell).

Ministry of Defence Police

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any proposals contained in the Strategic Defence and Security Review will affect the policing by Ministry of Defence Police of the St Fergus gas terminal and Garlogie compressor plant.

Andrew Robathan: The current policing arrangements at St Fergus and Garlogie will not be affected by the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Ministry of Defence Police

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on the establishment of a permanent base for Ministry of Defence Police at the St Fergus gas terminal.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Defence Police deployment is fully funded by the gas companies through an arrangement with the Office for Gas and Electricity Market under provisions contained within the Counter Terrorism Act 2008. Costs are reimbursed to the Ministry of Defence.

MR1185 Study

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the criteria for inclusion in the MR1185 study are; what progress has been made on the study to date; and which veterans' groups have participated in the study.

Anne Milton: I have been asked to reply.
	The reference MR1185 is not known but is assumed to incorrectly refer to MR185, the national health service information centre's reference number for the Nuclear Weapons Test Participants Study (NWTPS) undertaken by the former National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB).
	The NWTPS study was commissioned in 1983 and three successive analysis projects have been completed by the NRPB researchers. Details about the study and the three analysis projects have been published in peer-reviewed journals and as NRPB reports. References for each of these papers and reports can be found through the website link shown.
	The criteria for inclusion in the NWTPS study are described in detail in the NRPB reports but, in summary, the study group consisted of men who were recorded as having attended at least one of the sites used in the United Kingdom atmospheric nuclear weapon tests during the relevant periods and whose details were confirmed from contemporary records.
	The British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA) and the former British Atomic Veterans Association as well as the British Legion were consulted during the first NRPB analysis project and contacts with BNTVA continued through to the third analysis. In particular, a BNTVA representative was included, as an observer, in the third analysis Project Management Group. Pre and post-publication presentations relating to the NRPB studies have been made to veterans' audiences, including a BNTVA AGM, by NRPB researchers.
	Further information about the NWTPS study can be found on, or through references from, the HPA website at:
	www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/Radiation/UnderstandingRadiation/UnderstandingRadiationTopics/RadiationEpidemiology/NuclearWeaponsTestParticipantsStudy/

Nuclear Submarines

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the number of warheads deployed on each Vanguard class submarine will be reduced to no more than 40; when the stockpile of operationally available warheads will be reduced to no more than 120; and when warheads which have been removed from the operation stockpile will be dismantled.

Liam Fox: I will write to the hon. Member.

Rescue Services

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times search and rescue helicopters based at RAF Lossiemouth have been involved in operations to rescue individuals from mountains in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Peter Luff: The information requested is provided in the following table. The numbers provided are for all occasions when an aircraft was launched in response to a distress situation. We consider mountain rescue incidents to comprise callouts to casualties or missing persons in remote areas or hilly terrain.
	
		
			   Number of mountain rescues 
			 2005 80 
			 2006 85 
			 2007 76 
			 2008 109 
			 2009 117 
			 2010 (to 14 December) 82

Sri Lanka

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  upon whose invitation he is visiting Sri Lanka on 18 December 2010; in what capacity; and what meetings he plans to have during his visit;
	(2)  whether he plans to report to  (a) ministerial colleagues and  (b) the House on the situation in Sri Lanka when he returns from his visit to that country on 18 December 2010.

Liam Fox: I have postponed my private visit to Sri Lanka due to an extended scheduled official visit to the Gulf. I intend to carry out an official visit to Sri Lanka in the course of next year.

Sri Lanka

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who will be responsible for bearing the costs of his visit to Sri Lanka on 18 December 2010.

Liam Fox: This was to be a private visit, and privately funded. However I have postponed it due to an extended scheduled official visit to the Gulf. I intend to carry out an official visit to Sri Lanka in the course of next year.

Strategic Defence and Security Review: Costs

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to his Department was of printing copies of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Liam Fox: holding answer 16 December 2010
	The Ministry of Defence spent £2,300 on copies of the National Security Strategy and the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Strategic Defence and Security Review: Costs

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to his Department was of communications for the  (a) consultation and  (b) launch of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Liam Fox: holding answer 16 December 2010
	Consulting and communicating on the Strategic Defence and Security Review was core departmental business and it is not possible to identify costs separately.

Strategic Defence and Security Review: Costs

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to his Department was of overnight accommodation for  (a) Ministers and  (b) civilian staff required as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review process.

Liam Fox: holding answer 16 December 2010
	The Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) was core departmental business incorporated into the routine work of Ministers and staff. No overnight accommodation costs were incurred by Ministers solely as part of the SDSR process. A significant number of civilian staff were engaged at various stages, and it is not possible to identify what element of detached duty costs incurred by civilian staff during the period of the SDSR was required specifically as part of the review process.

Strategic Defence and Security Review: Public Consultation

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultation process was followed as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Liam Fox: My ministerial colleagues and I, and officials from the Ministry of Defence (MOD), engaged a variety of academic organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), trade unions, and industry representatives during the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). We also discussed the review with our allies and partners.
	I invited contributions to the SDSR in July 2010. The MOD received over 6,000 responses from MPs, members of the armed forces, public servants within and beyond Defence, industry, academics and the public, together with over 1,000 letters and e-mails. Every response was read during the review by a member of the SDSR team, and the ideas and concerns they contained contributed to the MOD's thinking on the choices we faced.
	In parallel with this activity, the Cabinet Office also engaged with external experts during the SDSR.

TRANSPORT

Airports

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the merits of introducing measures at all airports allowing expedited access for uniformed crew.

Theresa Villiers: Aviation security search measures apply equally to all (passengers, airport staff and aircrew including pilots) regardless of gender, race, age and occupation, with only a very limited number of exemptions, for example in respect of heads of state. The more people we exempt from search, the greater the risk this creates.
	We would be wary of creating a two tier screening system that may increase the likelihood of people becoming targets for coercion. Even professional pilots with the highest levels of integrity and honesty can find themselves the subject of coercion or blackmail from those who might seek to force them to carry prohibited items into a critical part of an airport.
	All screening measures are kept under review. The Department for Transport has regular dialogue with industry partners, including representatives of airline pilots, to ensure that security measures are commensurate with the existing threat.

Airports: Freight

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the levels of freight passing through each of the UK's airports were in each year since 2001.

Theresa Villiers: The level of air freight in tonnes in each year from 1999 to 2009 at the UK airports, that report to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), is published in Table 13.2 of the CAA's Airport Statistics 2009. This table is available on the CAA website at:
	http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport_data/2009Annual/Table_13_2_Freight_1999_2009.pdf

Airports: Radiation Exposure

Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on aircrew of repeated exposure to backscatter radiation from airport body scanners.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport commissioned advice from the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) on the effective dose of radiation from a back-scatter security scanner.
	The HPA concluded that the effective dose from one scan is 0.02 micro Sv or less. This compares with the effective dose received for 1.4 minutes flying at airline cruising height of 0.12 micro Sv. The HPA recommends a dose constraint of 300 micros Sv/year to a member of the public from practices involving the deliberate use of ionising radiation sources.
	Given the very significant difference between the effective dose from a back-scatter security scanner and the HPA's annual recommended dose constraint, the Department for Transport has not considered it necessary to commission research on the cumulative effects beyond this limit.
	The HPA assessment was published on the DfT website on 1 February 2010.

Aviation: Security

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has had discussions with the British Airline Pilots' Association on a potential opt-out for airline pilots from body scanning for the purposes of reducing cumulative exposure to radiation.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport is currently considering responses to a public consultation on the 'Code of Practice for the Acceptable Use of Security Scanners' in the UK. As part of this exercise, the Department consulted representatives from the aviation security industry, including the British Airline Pilots Association. A decision on the future use of security scanners will be made in due course. The Department for Transport commissioned advice from the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) on the effective dose of radiation from a back-scatter security scanner.
	The HPA concluded that the effective dose from one scan is 0.02 micro Sv or less. This compares with the effective dose received for 1.4 minutes flying at airline cruising height of 0.12 micro Sv. The HPA recommends a dose constraint of 300 micros Sv/year to a member of the public from practices involving the deliberate use of ionising radiation sources.
	Given the very significant difference between the effective dose from a back-scatter security scanner and the HPA's annual recommended dose constraint, the Department for Transport has not considered it necessary to commission research on the cumulative effects beyond this limit.
	The HPA assessment was published on the DfT website on 1 February 2010.

Aviation: Security

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the cumulative effect of regular use of bodyscanners on those who are already subject to higher than average levels of cosmic radiation, including pilots.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport commissioned advice from the UK Heath Protection Agency (HPA) on the effective dose of radiation from a back-scatter security scanner.
	The HPA concluded that the effective dose from one scan is 0.02 micro Sv or less. This compares with the effective dose received for 1.4 minutes flying at airline cruising height of 0.12 micro Sv. The HPA recommends a dose constraint of 300 micro Sv/year to a member of the public from practices involving the deliberate use of ionising radiation sources.
	Given the very significant difference between the effective dose from a back-scatter security scanner and the HPA's annual recommended dose constraint, the Department for Transport has not considered it necessary to commission research on the cumulative effects beyond this limit.
	The HPA assessment was published on the DFT website on 1 February 2010.

British Transport Police: Arrests

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many arrests British Transport Police made in each year since 2007.

Theresa Villiers: This information is not held by the Department for Transport, but by the British Transport Police who can be contacted at 25 Camden road, London, NW1 9LN or by e-mail at:
	parliament@btp.pnn.police.uk

Departmental Manpower

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average salary has been of people on fixed-term contracts in his Department in each month since April 2010.

Norman Baker: holding answer 15 December 2010
	 The average annual salary for fixed-term contracts in the Department for Transport and its seven Executive agencies in each month since April 2010 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   £ 
			 April 32,105.01 
			 May 31,720.97 
			 June 31,424.87 
			 July 31,541.72 
			 August 31,689.09 
			 September 31,890.69 
			 October 32,610.05 
			 November 33,003.69

Departmental NDPBs

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what payroll costs each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) incurred in May 2010; and what estimate he has made of each such NDPB's expenditure on payroll in  (a) 2010-11,  (b) 2011-12,  (c) 2013-14 and  (d) the spending review period.

Norman Baker: holding answer 16 December 2010
	Estimates of the future payroll expenditure of the Department's non-departmental public bodies will be dependent on the outcome of the review of public bodies. We would expect to make this information available in due course.
	The payroll costs for the Department's non-departmental public bodies incurred in May 2010 are:
	
		
			   Payroll costs incurred in  May 2010 (£) 
			 British Transport Police Authority 50,000 
			 Disabled persons' Transport Advisory Committee 7,260 
			 Renewable Fuels Agency 49,320 
			 Directly Operated Railways Ltd 39,700 
			 Northern Lighthouse Board 722,862.60 
			 Passenger Focus 274,813 
			 Trinity Lighthouse 73,194 
			 Traffic Commissioners and Deputies 100,000 
			  Notes: 1. Cycling England: does not exist as its own legal entity-it is essentially part of DfT. It ceases to exist after March 2011. 2. Rail Heritage Committee confirm there is no expenditure.

Departmental NDPBs

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed by each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department in each month since April 2010.

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed by each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies in  (a) April 2010 and  (b) each subsequent month.

Norman Baker: holding answer 16 December 2010
	 The number of staff employed by each non-departmental public body sponsored by this Department in each month since April 2010 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of staff employed 
			   RFA  BTPA  DPTAC  DOR Ltd.  Northern Lighthouse Board  Passenger Focus  Trinity Lighthouse  TCs and DTCs 
			 April 2010 12.7 8 19 4.9 198.7 68 318 23 
			 May 2010 13.95 8 19 4.9 199.9 67 317 23 
			 June 2010 13.7 8 19 4.9 199.9 67 315 23 
			 July 2010 14.2 8 19 4.2 199.7 66 316 23 
			 August 2010 13.2 8 19 3.9 199.7 68 313 23 
			 September 2010 13.2 8 19 4.9 199.4 68 315 23 
			 October 2010 13.2 8 19 3.9 198.1 68 313 23 
			 November 2010 13.2 8 19 3.9 200.0 67 314 23 
		
	
	Department for Transport non-departmental public bodies are:
	RFA-Renewable Fuels Agency
	BTPA-British Transport Police Authority
	Cycling England
	DPTAC-Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
	DOR Ltd.-Directly Operated Railways Ltd
	NLB-Northern Lighthouse Board
	Passenger Focus
	TCs and DTCs Traffic Commissioners and Deputy Traffic Commissioners
	TLS-Trinity Lighthouse Service
	Cycling England does not exist as its own legal entity-it is essentially part of Department for Transport. It ceases to exist after March 2011.

Healthier Travel Options: Commuters

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken to implement  (a) greener and  (b) healthier travel options for commuters.

Norman Baker: The coalition agreement commits to supporting sustainable travel initiatives, including walking and cycling. The introduction of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, funded to £560 million over this Parliament, will enable the delivery by local transport authorities of sustainable transport solutions geared, among other things, to bringing about changing patterns of travel behaviour and greater use of more sustainable transport modes and so deliver a reduction in carbon and other harmful emissions. It will also facilitate the delivery of additional wider social, environmental, health and safety benefits for local communities, including commuters.
	In addition, the recently published public health White Paper-Healthy Lives, Healthy People-promotes active travel and physical activity, as well as emphasising the importance of road safety.

High Speed Two: Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the budget for High Speed Two is; and how many staff of his Department are working on the project.

Philip Hammond: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has an agreed budget of £21.1 million (plus the cost of any incurred VAT) for 2010-11. HS2 Limited currently has 56 staff (54.2 FTE).
	In addition, five members of staff in the Department for Transport's Rail Strategy Directorate currently work on high speed rail policy.

London and South Eastern Railways: Franchises

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the performance of Southeastern in discharging its obligations under its franchise agreement.

Theresa Villiers: Department for Transport Officials monitor Southeastern's performance against the contract on a four weekly basis. This review includes operational performance and the delivery of committed obligations.
	The Southeastern franchise agreement is currently due to end on 31 March 2012, though the option does exist for a two year extension to the agreement to allow the franchise to end on 31 March 2014. In order for Southeastern to be offered that two year extension, they must pass a performance based continuation review. That review period concluded on 12 December 2010 and the Secretary of State expects to notify the operator of the outcome early in the new year.

London and South Eastern Railways: Standards

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of rail services run by Southeastern was subject to a delay of over 10 minutes in  (a) 2008,  (b) 2009 and  (c) 2010.

Theresa Villiers: The information requested is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Period  Trains planned  Trains more than10 minutes late  %  of trains more than 10 minutes late 
			  (a) 2008-9 (periods 1-13) 590,435 13,947 2.4 
			  (b) 2009-10 (periods 1-13) 604,972 16,251 2.7 
			  (c) 2010 (periods 1-8) 417,208 9,808 2.4 
			  Notes: 1. Results are reported on a four weekly periodic basis each year, starting with period 1 on 1 April to period 13 ending on 31 March. 2. Rail Industry Period 8, running from 17 October to 13 November 2010, is the latest period from which this data is available.

London and South Eastern Railways: Standards

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rail services Southeastern has cancelled in  (a) 2008,  (b) 2009 and  (c) 2010.

Theresa Villiers: The information requested is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Period  Trains planned  Trains cancelled  % of trains cancelled 
			  (a) 2008-9 (periods 1-13) 590,435 7,326 1.2 
			  (b) 2009-10 (periods 1-13) 604,972 9,653 1.6 
			  (c) 2010 (periods 1-8) 417,208 4,008 1.0 
			 N otes: 1. Results are reported on a four weekly periodic basis, starting with period 1 on 1 April to period 13 ending on 31 March. 2. Rail Industry Period 8, running from 17 October to 13 November 2010, is the latest period from which this data is available.

London and South Eastern Railways: Standards

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has had recent discussions with Southeastern on ensuring the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its service.

Theresa Villiers: Department for Transport officials review Southeastern's delivery of its services on a four-weekly basis. This includes its train performance and the financial delivery. The effectiveness of the operator's delivery is also tested on an annual basis through the business planning requirements of its franchise agreement.
	Separately, as this House is aware, Sir Roy McNulty has published his interim report into the Value for Money of the railway, available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/strategyfinance/vfminterimreport/
	which identifies potential savings of up to £1 billion a year in the running of Britain's railways. The Government will be taking forward these savings with train operators and Network Rail, to ensure a more efficient and effective railway.

London and South Eastern Railways: Tickets

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what mechanisms are in place to ensure that Southeastern carries out efficient ticketing enforcement on its rail services; and if he will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: All franchise agreements entered into since 2004 require train operators to implement a structured revenue protection strategy.
	Southeastern's revenue protection strategy includes a penalty fares scheme, approved by the Department for Transport. Under the scheme, a passenger who cannot show a valid ticket for their journey, where ticket facilities were available at their starting station, may be liable to a penalty fare of £20 or twice the single fare.
	Revenue protection officers operate on the Southeastern network to combat instances of ticketless travel and, where appropriate, to issue penalty fares. The Southeastern network is also served by teams of rail enforcement officers, who are authorised collectors of penalty fares under the penalty fares scheme.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Manpower

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Maritime and Coastguard Agency personnel of each grade were employed in Northern Ireland in each of the last six years.

Michael Penning: The number of people employed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in Northern Ireland in each of the last six years by grade is shown in the following table:
	
		
			   2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010 
			 Coastguard Watch Assistant 12 12 13 6 4 5 
			 Admin Assistant 2 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total AA or equivalent 14 12 13 6 4 5 
			
			 Watch Officer 8 9 8 13 14 12 
			 Admin Officer 1 2 4 3 3 3 
			 Total AO or equivalent 9 11 12 16 17 15 
			
			 Sector Manager 2 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Watch Manager 4 4 4 4 4 4 
			 Marine Surveyor Grade 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 
			 Total EO or equivalent 7 7 7 7 6 6 
			
			 Rescue Co-ordination Centre Manager 1 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Higher Executive Officer 1 1 1 1 2 2 
			 Total HEO or equivalent 2 2 2 2 3 3 
			
			 Senior Executive Officer 1 1 1 0 0 0 
			 Marine Surveyor Grade 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 
			 Total SEO or equivalent 4 4 4 3 3 3 
			
			 Grade 7 Coastguard 0 0 0 2 1 0 
			 Grade 7 Surveyor 2 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Total Grade 7 2 2 2 4 3 2 
			
			 Grand total 38 38 40 38 36 34

Midland Main Line: Standards

Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 25 November 2010,  Official Report, columns 466-68, on rail investment, what plans he has to improve the line speed, reliability and capacity of services on the Midland Main Line.

Theresa Villiers: The spending review confirmed approval for a package of works totalling £69 million to allow increased line speeds on the Midland Main Line by 2013. The work will enable an improvement of at least eight minutes in the journey time between London and Sheffield. At the south end of the route the Thameslink programme will increase capacity and improve accessibility to, from and through London. The first stage is planned to be delivered by 2012.

Motorways: Speed Limits

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which sections of the  (a) M5,  (b) M6,  (c) M1,  (d) M25,  (e) M4 and  (f) M3 are subject to lower speed limits because they do not meet current visibility requirements or have sub-geometric features.

Michael Penning: There are no sections of M5, M6, M1, M3 or M25 which are subject to lower statutory speed limits because they do not meet current visibility requirements or have sub-geometric features. There are, however, two locations on the M5 between junctions 1 and 4 where advisory speed limits of 50 mph are in place. One is on an elevated section between junctions 1 and 2 (Oldbury) and the other is at junction 4 (Lydiate Ash); both are due to the locations having a tight radius curve.
	The M4 eastbound between junction 4 and just prior to the start of the elevated section just before junction 2 is subject to a permanent mandatory speed limit of 60 mph due to sub-geometric features.
	The M4 eastbound just prior to the start of the elevated section at junction 2 to the end of the elevated section at junction 1 is subject to a permanent mandatory speed limit of 40 mph due to sub- geometric features.
	The M4 westbound from junction 1 to the end of the elevated section just past junction 2 is subject to a permanent mandatory speed limit of 40 mph due to sub-geometric features.
	The M4 junction 4 to junction 4a Heathrow Spur (both directions) is subject to a permanent mandatory speed limit of 50 mph due to sub-geometric features.

Rail High Level Group

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  when he plans to announce the membership of the Rail High Level Group; and what criteria he plans to use to determine its membership;
	(2)  whether he proposes to set out a remit for the Rail High Level Group in relation to  (a) structural reform of the rail industry and  (b) franchise reform.

Theresa Villiers: No decisions on the composition and terms of reference of the Secretary of State's group, or the way in which industry and passenger interests will contribute to its work, have yet been taken. A further announcement about arrangements will be made shortly.

Railway: Electrification

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Thameslink project will include electrification of the railway between Carlton Road Junction (Midland Main Line) and Haringey Junction (East Coast Main Line).

Theresa Villiers: The scope of the Thameslink Programme does not include the electrification of the railway between Carlton Road Junction (Midland Main Line) and Haringey Junction (East Coast Main Line).

Railways: Antisocial Behaviour

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department has issued to train operating companies on addressing antisocial behaviour on passenger rail services.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport has not issued specific guidance of this nature. Train operators do, though, have long-established and well understood powers under railway byelaws to remove drunk or disruptive passengers from trains and stations. Enforcement is a matter for operators themselves, backed up as necessary by the British Transport police.

Railways: Bridges

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the future of the £40 million funding for refurbishment of disused railway bridges at Camden road announced by his Department in 2009.

Theresa Villiers: We expect this scheme to be a strong candidate for funding in Railway Control Period 5 (2014-2019).

Railways: Concessions

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) current and  (b) former employees of Network Rail who receive free rail travel or travel concessions also receive free travel or travel concessions for members of their family who have not worked for Network Rail; and how many such family members receive such free travel or travel concessions.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 3 December 2010
	These data are not available.

Railways: Construction

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent to date on the development of High Speed 2 between London and Birmingham; and how much is projected to be spent up to 2015.

Philip Hammond: For the period between 14 January 2009 and the end of the 2009-10 financial year, HS2 Ltd spent £8.4 million (excluding VAT).
	HS2 Ltd's budget for the 2010-11 financial year is approximately £21.2 million (excluding VAT). In addition, the Department for Transport estimates that around £25 million may be required to fund property purchases under the Exceptional Hardship Scheme in the 2010-11 financial year, although actual expenditure will depend on applications received.
	For the four years from 2011-12 to 2014-15, the spending review settlement includes approximately £773 million to fund the development of the Government's proposals for a high speed rail network from London to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

Railways: Construction

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on consultants in respect of the preparatory work for the High Speed 2 project.

Philip Hammond: holding answer 16 December 2010
	High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been set up to take forward work on a new high speed line in the UK. As part of this remit, it has procured specialist engineering, railway operations, environmental assessment and demand modelling consultancy support. HS2 Ltd's budget for this work is £10.8 million in 2010-11. £4.04 million was spent in 2009-10.

Railways: Construction

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what the cost to his Department is of staff employed to undertake the preparatory work for the High Speed 2 project;
	(2)  how many staff are employed by his Department to undertake the preparatory work for the High Speed 2 project.

Philip Hammond: holding answer 16 December 2010
	High Speed 2 Ltd. has 56 staff (54.2 full-time equivalent). Its 2010-11 budget includes £3.85 million for employment costs.

Railways: Fares

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the likely effects of raising the present cap on rail fares on levels of carbon dioxide emissions; and if he will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 6 December 2010
	As set out in my answer of 10 November 2010,  Official Report, column 334W, the Department for Transport has not made a detailed estimate of the likely effects of increases in rail fares on transport emissions. Although the announced fare increases may reduce at the margin the increase in demand for rail travel, the overall impact on carbon emissions is likely to be small.

Railways: Fares

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the effect of increases in rail fares on the number of commuters who travel to work by rail.

Theresa Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 10 November 2010,  Official Report, column 334W. The Department for Transport has not carried out a breakdown of the impact of different types of rail travel.

Railways: Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what budgetary provision he has made for external consulting resources for the rail value for money study.

Theresa Villiers: The total consultancy budget for the Sir Roy McNulty study is £3,002,400.

Railways: Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultants his Department used in preparing the interim report of Sir Roy McNulty's value for money review; and what the cost to his Department was of the services of those consultants.

Theresa Villiers: The interim report included early feedback from a number of research projects commissioned to inform the overall review. No work was specifically commissioned for the interim report. The total costs of the external consultancy work up to the point at which the interim report was prepared is in the region of £1,350,000. External consultants undertaking work on the review are RC&M, Amtec, Civity, Oxera, Atkins, Booz, Capita, Mott MacDonald, Albany Smith, DTZ, SDG, Red Personnel and Aecom.

Railways: Franchises

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when  (a) his Department plans to begin work on the rail franchise specifications due for renegotiation in 2012 and  (b) he expects officials of his Department to be available to meet hon. Members in constituencies affected by those franchises to discuss those specifications.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 2 December 2010
	Specification began in 2009 for those franchises due to be re-let in 2011 and 2012. A consultation paper for Greater Anglia and East Coast was issued in the early part of the year, when Members of Parliament, transport authorities and passenger representatives were able to comment on rail service issues in their constituencies.
	Following a wider consultation on franchise reform that closed in October this year, the Secretary of State made an announcement in December setting out the next steps for the franchise programme. Officials in the Department for Transport would be available to discuss the franchise in the early part of next year.

Railways: Overcrowding

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the level of overcrowding on the East Coast mainline.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport receives passenger counts data from train operators for travel on weekdays during spring and autumn survey periods. The latest data which is available for the east coast main line shows that, across the spring 2010 count period, the maximum average load did not exceed the planned capacity for the service on any of the days for which data was collected.
	The Government's overall strategy for the east coast main line is to increase capacity and improve journey times to meet forecast growth in demand. This will be delivered by a new timetable in May 2011, infrastructure enhancement in CP4 (2009-14) and further improvements to be delivered through a new franchise.

Railways: Overcrowding

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of levels of passenger overcrowding on the rail network in  (a) London,  (b) non-metropolitan urban areas and  (c) metropolitan areas;
	(2)  what work his Department is undertaking to collate data on passenger overcrowding on the rail network in  (a) London,  (b) non-metropolitan urban areas and  (c) metropolitan areas;
	(3)  what data his Department collated on passenger overcrowding on the rail network in  (a) London,  (b) non-metropolitan urban areas and  (c) metropolitan areas in the latest period for which figures are available.

Theresa Villiers: Franchised train operators are required by the Department for Transport to undertake passenger counts as part of their franchise agreements. These are requested from all relevant operators twice yearly in the spring and the autumn, focusing on the morning and evening peak demand into major cities, counting arriving train passengers between 0700 and 0959 and departing passengers between 1600 and 1859. The most recent surveys were undertaken during spring 2010.
	The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) publishes statistics on "passengers in excess of capacity" in National Rail Trends (NRT) which is available on its website at:
	www.rail-reg.gov.uk
	These figures were updated in July 2010 for London commuter services, based on autumn 2009 data, and will be published for other regional centres when this information is available.
	Train operating companies submit morning and evening peak train plans to the Department for Transport for May and December timetable changes each year. Overcrowding levels are assessed by comparing counts of passengers against the plans. The assessments inform the plans for the next timetable iteration and the deployment of train capacity. These assessments contain commercially confidential information and are not published, but the Department uses the data as the base for strategic forecasts of peak demand change. The latest assessment for each of the franchised operators was for the May 2010 timetable change.

Railways: Recycling

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to take to ensure that holders of rail franchises recycle more waste from trains.

Theresa Villiers: The Government are currently developing changes to the rail franchising system to make franchises longer, more flexible, more responsive to the needs of passengers and more efficient. As part of this process we are considering how to encourage franchise holders to reduce environmental impacts including through recycling on-train waste.

Railways: South East Region

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions his Department has had with Network Rail on the laying of a dual track along the entirety of the Oxford to Worcester railway line.

Theresa Villiers: The Government are currently funding an upgrade programme to deliver dual tracking over two-thirds of the single track sections between Oxford and Worcester. Network Rail has established this will be sufficient to meet the Government's enhanced capacity and performance rail requirements for 2014. No discussions have taken place for laying dual track on the remaining 10 miles of single track.

Railways: South East Region

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to include a new specification in the Malvern to London train franchise for 2013 to include an hourly service.

Theresa Villiers: Decisions on the specifications for future franchises will be made as each contract is due to be renewed. To date, there have been no decisions relating to future London to Malvern services.

Railways: Stevenage

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the potential effects of the East Coast Eureka timetable on passengers in Stevenage.

Theresa Villiers: The effect of the new East Coast Main Line timetable on passengers at Stevenage was assessed by the train operator and the Department for Transport as part of the rail industry's development of that timetable. Overall, Stevenage will enjoy an improved level of service. There will be a substantial increase in the number of long distance trains calling at Stevenage-27 per day instead of 19 per day-and although Stevenage will have fewer through trains to stations north of York, good connections will be available at Peterborough, Doncaster or York.

Railways: Suicide

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the incidence of suicide on the rail network in the last 10 years.

Theresa Villiers: This information is published by the Rail Safety and Standards Board, and can be found in Chart 97 on page 128 of their Annual Safety Performance Report, 2009-10, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of the House. It can also be found at:
	http://www.rssb.co.uk/sitecollectiondocuments/pdf/reports/ASPR_2009_10_Full_Report.pdf

Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what timetable he has set for his consultation on the renewable transport fuel obligation; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans he has to review the Government's policy on biofuels.

Norman Baker: Amendments to the Renewable Transport Fuel (RTFO) Order 2007 are being considered to implement both the transport elements of the renewable energy directive (RED) and aspects of the closely related fuel quality directive (FQD). It is our firm intention to consult soon on proposals to amend the RTFO and set out a timetable for implementation.
	The RED contains a requirement that the European Commission undertake a wide ranging review of the directive by 31 December 2014 and propose amendments if appropriate. Any such proposal may lead to further revisions of the RTFO.

Rolling Stock

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to roll out on-train metering across the rail network.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport recognises the benefits of on-train meters in helping train operators manage their energy consumption more effectively. We are working closely with the Office of Rail Regulation, Network Rail and train operators to facilitate the roll-out of on-train metering. Installation of the necessary equipment is supported by Network Rail's £8 million safety and environment fund.
	The Office of Rail Regulation is currently reviewing Virgin Trains West Coast application to opt-in to on-train metering. Virgin Trains is already supplying metered energy data to Network Rail and will be billed based on this data if the application is approved. The Office of Rail Regulation encourages the use of on-train metering, but also has to make sure the Virgin Trains application does not have unreasonable financial implications for other train operators.
	London Midland, First Scotrail and First Capital Connect have indicated that they plan to move to metered billing from April 2011. The Department for Transport has specified the fitment of energy meters to 28 trains as part of the Southern franchise.
	The Office of Rail Regulation recently commissioned a review of opportunities to improve electrical energy efficiency. The executive summary of the resulting electrical efficiency summary report is available at:
	www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/independent-reporter-b-amc-121110.pdf
	The Department for Transport is working with the Office of Rail Regulation and the wider industry to respond to the review's recommendations. This will include consideration of further incentives and penalties for the next control period (2014-19) to encourage the fitment of on-train meters.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what class of rail travel will be provided in each of the new rail carriages which have been ordered.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 3 December 2010
	The Department for Transport does not normally specify the is a commercial matter for the train operator concerned.

Sea Rescue

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent meetings he has had with representatives of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in Northern Ireland on the modernisation of the coastguard.

Michael Penning: Our proposals for the modernisation of the coastguard are now the subject of a 14-week consultation. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency plan formal negotiations with the trade unions, as well as a series of public consultation meetings and staff briefings.

Sea Rescue

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons his Department's announcement on the modernisation of the coastguard has not been made according to the planned timetable.

Michael Penning: Our proposals have been developed over a period of time. Once we were satisfied that these would deliver a modernised coastguard for the 21st century, we made a written ministerial statement to the House.

Sea Rescue

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish his Department's proposals for the modernisation of the coastguard.

Michael Penning: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made to the House on 16 December 2010,  Official Report, columns 133-34WS.

Taxis: Licensing

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether local authorities are required to determine the suitability of an individual to hold a  (a) hackney and  (b) private hire licence; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Baker: The legislation governing taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing places a statutory duty on local licensing authorities to ensure that any person to whom they grant a taxi or PHV driver licence is a fit and proper person. Local authorities have responsibility for deciding what constitutes 'fit and proper', for the standards that they impose for the granting of a licence and for subsequent enforcement.
	The Department for Transport has provided best practice guidance to assist local licensing authorities in carrying out their taxi licensing responsibilities. The guidance includes advice about assessing taxi driver licence applicants. It can be found on the Department's website at:
	www.dft.gov.uk

Thameslink: King's Lynne

Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many direct services from King's Lynn to London he expects to be maintained following the Thameslink upgrade.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 15 December 2010
	It is not anticipated that the number of direct trains from King's Lynn to London will alter as a result of the Thameslink upgrade.

Train Operating Companies: Compensation

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to require train operating companies to introduce a compensatory scheme to those passengers unable to access a seat on their journey.

Theresa Villiers: The cost of introducing a compensation scheme for passengers who have been unable to access a seat would be reflected in increased franchising costs for the taxpayer. There would also be significant issues to resolve with regard to how such a scheme could be administered.
	The cost of providing a seat for every passenger on every journey, regardless of distance travelled is likely to be very high given the peaks in demand that occur in the system.
	However, the Government remain committed to increasing the carrying capacity of the rail network and has recently confirmed major infrastructure schemes such as Crossrail and Thameslink and that some 2100 new carriages will be in service on the network by 2019.

Waterloo Station

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with  (a) representatives of business organisations and  (b) individual businesses on the future of Waterloo International terminal.

Theresa Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given on 9 December 2010,  Official Report, column 407W.

West Coast Railway Line: Overcrowding

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on his decision not to approve planned extra carriages on West Coast main line train services; and if he will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport has ordered 106 additional Pendolino vehicles for use on the west coast main line. These are under construction and the first vehicles are now being delivered for testing. Our long-term plans for the west coast corridor include a major increase in capacity with the construction of a new high speed rail network.
	The Government received a proposal from Virgin to extend their franchise by two years which included a proposal to purchase a further 42 vehicles. I decided not to pursue the offer in order to maximise the passenger and taxpayer benefits through a competitive process to determine the future of the west coast franchise. The Department for Transport has received various representations on capacity issues on west coast.

HEALTH

Addison Lee

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether  (a) his Department and  (b) public bodies for which it is responsible contract services from Addison Lee private taxi hire company.

Simon Burns: The Department does not have a contract with Addison Lee.
	The Department's arm's length body sector is made up of nine executive non-departmental public bodies, one executive agency and eight special health authorities. For the purpose of this question, only the non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) that
	currently exist are included.
	One NDPB, the Health Protection Agency, does have a contract with Addison Lee under an Office of Government Commerce (OGC) framework agreement. Although not a contract, some NDPBs do however have accounts with Addison Lee for financial reasons, details for all the NDPBs are included in the following table:
	
		
			  Non-departmental public body  Has contract with Addison Lee?  (Yes/No)  Additional Information 
			 Alcohol Education and Research Council No None 
			 Appointments Commission No None 
			 Care Quality Commission No CQC does not currently have a contract with Addison Lee but does have an account that is used by their London office. 
			 Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence No None 
			 General Social Care Council No GSCC uses Addison Lee on an ad-hoc basis. 
			 Health Protection Agency Yes HPA uses an OGC framework contract with Addison Lee for the provision of taxis. 
			 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority No HFEA does not currently have a contract with Addison Lee but does have an account with them. 
			 Human Tissue Authority No None 
			 Monitor No None

Advisory Group for National Specialised Services

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether treatments assessed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence will be able to enter specialised commissioning through the new Advisory Group for National Specialised Services.

Simon Burns: We would not normally expect a treatment to be referred to the Advisory Group for National Specialised Services (AGNSS) if it was considered appropriate for appraisal by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE can indicate if it believes a topic being considered for appraisal would more appropriately be assessed by AGNSS.

Autism: Research

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has evaluated on  (a) a genetic link to autism and  (b) potential treatments for autism associated with genetic conditions.

Paul Burstow: The Medical Research Council (MRC) funds a broad portfolio of research relating to autism including research on the genetic links to the condition.
	Funded research span a number of years, many of which are still ongoing. Examples of MRC-funded research in this area include:
	The Autism Genome Project led by Professor A Monaco, University of Oxford - which began March 2007 and concluded in September 2010. This project consists of 120 scientists from more than 60 institutions and 11 countries who have formed a first-of-its-kind autism genetics consortium. Support for this collaboration was brokered by Medical Research Council.
	Professor F Happe, Institute of Psychiatry-A population-based twin-study of autism spectrum disorders-February 2007-November 2010.
	Dr M D Spencer, University of Cambridge-A structural and functional imaging study of autism and its extended phenotype- December 2008-November 2012.
	Professor S Baron-Cohen, University of Cambridge-Autistic traits, autism spectrum conditions, and foetal testosterone-July 2007-December 2011.

Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Trust: Public Expenditure

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the change in funding to Birmingham children's hospital as a result of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review in each of the next five years.

Simon Burns: No estimate has been made of changes to Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's funding as a result of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review.
	While not directly related to the comprehensive spending review, departmental officials have held discussions in recent weeks with representatives from Birmingham children's hospital and other providers of specialised services for children. These discussions have focused on arrangements for the 2011-12 Payment by Results national tariff, through which specialist trusts receive a proportion of their total funding.
	Following the conclusion of these discussions, the Secretary of State for Health announced on 7 December his intention to set the top-up payment for specialised services for children at 60% above the tariff price and increase the number of procedures that will attract the top-up payment.

Cancer: Orphan Drugs

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of standard treatment appraisal methodologies for appraising ultra-orphan treatments for cancer; what assessment he has made of the effects of using such methodologies on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's capacity to develop guidance for such treatments; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: We have made no such assessment.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and is responsible for the development of its own methodologies. NICE has appraised a number of drugs for the treatment of cancers with very small patient populations and has been able to recommend some as a clinically and cost effective use of national health service resources.
	NICE issued supplementary advice to its Appraisal Committees in 2009 to clarify the circumstances in which it might be appropriate to recommend potentially life-extending treatments licensed for terminal illnesses affecting small numbers of patients that would not normally be recommended through the application of NICE'S standard technology appraisal methods. The supplementary advice is available on NICE'S website at:
	http://www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/howwework/devnicetech/technologyappraisalprocessguides/guidetothemethodsofte chnologyappraisal.jsp?domedia=l&mid=88ACDAE5-19B9-E0B5-D422589714A8EC6D

Care Costs

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people in each local authority area who require assistance to meet their care costs in 2010-11.

Paul Burstow: The NHS Information Centre collects and publishes the number of people receiving services funded wholly or partly by Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities (CASSRs). The most recently published data are for 2009-10 and are provisional. These data are shown in the following table. Final data for 2009-10 will be published in 2011.
	Data for 2010-11 will not be published until late 2011 and no forecasts are available.
	
		
			  Clients receiving services during the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010( 1) 
			   CASSR  Number 
			 102 Cumbria 19,920 
			 104 Northumberland 16,815 
			 106 Gateshead 7,210 
			 107 Newcastle upon Tyne 9,615 
			 108 North Tyneside 7,185 
			 109 South Tyneside 6,605 
			 110 Sunderland 10,685 
			 111 Hartlepool UA 5,060 
			 112 Middlesbrough UA 7,045 
			 113 Redcar and Cleveland UA 7,005 
			 114 Stockton on Tees UA 8,050 
			 116 Durham 19,645 
			 117 Darlington UA 3,855 
			 204 Barnsley 6,635 
			 205 Doncaster 9,465 
			 206 Rotherham 8,050 
			 207 Sheffield 16,630 
			 209 Bradford 15,405 
			 210 Calderdale 7,175 
			 211 Kirklees 16,410 
			 212 Leeds 17,620 
			 213 Wakefield 9,280 
			 214 East Riding of Yorkshire UA 15,330 
			 215 Kingston upon Hull UA 10,130 
			 216 North East Lincolnshire UA 7,465 
			 217 North Lincolnshire UA 5,690 
			 218 North Yorkshire 25,810 
			 219 York UA 6,890 
			 304 Bolton 9,040 
			 305 Bury 6,410 
			 306 Manchester 10,165 
			 307 Oldham 7,530 
			 308 Rochdale 6,905 
			 309 Salford 9,040 
			 310 Stockport 8,330 
			 311 Tameside 11,455 
			 312 Trafford 8,650 
			 313 Wigan 10,490 
			 315 Knowsley 5,495 
			 316 Liverpool 15,690 
			 317 Sefton 11,965 
			 318 St. Helens 6,155 
			 319 Wirral 10,385 
			 321 Halton UA 4,825 
			 322 Warrington UA 7,490 
			 323 Lancashire 37,285 
			 324 Blackburn with Darwen UA 3,900 
			 325 Blackpool UA 5,450 
			 326 Cheshire East UA 11,990 
			 327 Cheshire West and Chester UA 10,890 
			 404 Warwickshire 15,115 
			 406 Birmingham 28,855 
			 407 Coventry 7,615 
			 408 Dudley 12,120 
			 409 Sandwell 11,630 
			 410 Solihull 6,700 
			 411 Walsall 8,445 
			 412 Wolverhampton 6,535 
			 413 Staffordshire 27,490 
			 414 Stoke on Trent UA 10,645 
			 415 Herefordshire UA 6,460 
			 416 Worcestershire 16,875 
			 417 Shropshire 11,980 
			 418 Telford and the Wrekin UA 5,940 
			 503 Lincolnshire 21,975 
			 504 Northamptonshire 16,170 
			 506 Derbyshire 27,090 
			 507 Derby UA 7,865 
			 508 Leicestershire 17,515 
			 509 Leicester UA 7,895 
			 510 Rutland UA 1,345 
			 511 Nottinghamshire 27,595 
			 512 Nottingham UA 9,490 
			 606 Hertfordshire 28,835 
			 607 Norfolk 31,530 
			 608 Oxfordshire 17,545 
			 609 Suffolk 18,020 
			 611 Luton UA 4,480 
			 612 Buckinghamshire 14,495 
			 613 Milton Keynes UA 5,630 
			 514 Bracknell Forest UA 3,655 
			 615 West Berkshire UA 4,890 
			 616 Reading UA 4,615 
			 617 Slough UA 3,490 
			 618 Windsor and Maidenhead UA 4,540 
			 619 Wokingham UA 3,150 
			 620 Essex 48,165 
			 621 Southend on Sea UA 7,195 
			 622 Thurrock UA 3,540 
			 623 Cambridgeshire 15,845 
			 624 Peterborough UA 5,900 
			 625 Bedford UA 4,805 
			 626 Central Bedfordshire UA 6,570 
			 702 Camden 6,660 
			 703 Greenwich 5,730 
			 704 Hackney 5,575 
			 705 Hammersmith and Fulham 4,740 
			 706 Islington 5,380 
			 707 Kensington and Chelsea 6,375 
			 708 Lambeth 8,755 
			 709 Lewisham 7,040 
			 710 Southwark 5,215 
			 711 Tower Hamlets 6,375 
			 712 Wandsworth 5,450 
			 713 Westminster 7,090 
			 714 City of London 295 
			 716 Barking and Dagenham 6,430 
			 717 Barnet 7,365 
			 718 Bexley 7,595 
			 719 Brent 7,075 
			 720 Bromley 8,480 
			 721 Croydon 10,515 
			 722 Ealing 10,020 
			 723 Enfield 10,575 
			 724 Haringey 5,745 
			 725 Harrow 6,820 
			 726 Havering 6,825 
			 727 Hillingdon 5,770 
			 728 Hounslow 6,355 
			 729 Kingston upon Thames 3,410 
			 730 Merton 4,950 
			 731 Newham 6,070 
			 732 Redbridge 7,790 
			 733 Richmond upon Thames 4,630 
			 734 Sutton 6,395 
			 735 Waltham Forest 4,010 
			 803 Isle of Wight UA 4,580 
			 805 Surrey 31,095 
			 807 West Sussex 22,025 
			 809 Dorset 13,255 
			 810 Bournemouth UA 6,265 
			 811 Poole UA 7,020 
			 812 Hampshire 45,510 
			 813 Portsmouth UA 6,815 
			 814 Southampton UA 9,850 
			 815 East Sussex 18,525 
			 816 Brighton and Hove UA 9,360 
			 817 Wiltshire 16,670 
			 819 Swindon UA 6,170 
			 820 Kent 46,080 
			 821 Medway Towns UA 8,665 
			 902 Cornwall 18,910 
			 904 Gloucestershire 25,775 
			 905 Somerset 33,460 
			 906 Isles of Scilly 55 
			 908 Bath and North East Somerset UA 5,325 
			 909 Bristol UA 14,550 
			 910 North Somerset UA 6,575 
			 911 South Gloucestershire UA 8,835 
			 912 Devon 26,790 
			 913 Plymouth UA 11,010 
			 914 Torbay UA 6,485 
			  England 1,697,595 
			 (1) Provisional  Note:  England total may not add up due to rounding.

Cataracts: Surgery

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 December 2010,  Official Report, column 890W, on cataracts: surgery, what his policy is on providing a wider choice of treatments for cataract surgery patients under his proposed reforms to NHS commissioning; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: As explained in the answer on 1 December 2010,  Official Report, column 890W, we are currently consulting on proposals for giving patients and service users greater choice and control over their care and we will publish our response along with more detailed policy proposals early next year.

Death: Winter

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the factors which contributed to the change in the number of excess winter deaths between 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Anne Milton: Estimates and analysis of excess winter mortality are provided annually by the Office for National Statistics. These are available at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=10805
	The most recent data for winter 2009-10 (provisional) shows that there were an estimated 25,400 excess winter deaths in England and Wales in 2009-10. This is a decrease of 30% compared with figures for 2008-09.
	Although excess winter deaths are associated with low temperatures, conditions directly relating to cold, such as hypothermia, are not the main cause. The majority of additional winter deaths are caused by cerebrovascular diseases, ischaemic heart disease and respiratory diseases.

Death: Winter

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the likely number of excess winter deaths in 2010-11.

Anne Milton: Estimates and analysis of excess winter mortality are provided annually by the Office for National Statistics. These are available at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=10805
	The most recent data for winter 2009-10 (provisional) show that there were an estimated 25,400 excess winter deaths in England and Wales in 2009-10. This is a decrease of 30% compared with figures for 2008-09.

Dementia: Health Services

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to require GP consortia to provide full and adequately financed care for all patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other dementia-related conditions.

Paul Burstow: The White Paper "Liberating the NHS" set out our proposals to devolve power and responsibility for commissioning services to local consortia of general practitioner (GP) practices, supported by the creation of an NHS Commissioning Board. The Government have consulted on how best to implement the White Paper and on 15 December, published their response.
	GP consortia will be responsible for commissioning the great majority of national health service services to include those for patients with dementia. We will expect consortia to involve relevant health and social care professionals from all sectors in helping design care pathways or care packages for those with dementia that achieve more integrated delivery of care, higher quality, and more efficient use of NHS resources. This will create an effective dialogue across all health, and where appropriate, social care professionals
	The Operating Framework for the NHS published on 15 December sets out that, during 2011-12, NHS organisations are expected to make progress on the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy. It also states that primary care trusts must work with GP consortia to develop their Operating Plans, providing support for the consortia development process and empowering consortia to take on new responsibilities when they are ready to do so.

Departmental Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many invoices his Department processed in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: The number of invoices processed by the Department in the 12 month period from 1 December 2009 to 30 November 2010 is 63,233. This figure is drawn from the Department's accounts payable system and includes only those invoices paid directly to suppliers by the Department. Payments by arm's length bodies and executive agencies are therefore excluded.

Departmental Consultants

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contracts his Department has entered into for the provision of consultancy services since May 2010; and what the monetary value is of each such contract.

Simon Burns: In line with Government efficiency controls details of consultancy services contracts over £20,000 are now routinely published.
	The latest publication, for the period 24 May to 31 October, was published on the Department's website on 16 December 2010 at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/HowDHworks/Transparency/index.htm

Departmental Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been paid to officials in his Department and its non-departmental bodies in bonuses and other payments in addition to salary in each year since 1997; how many officials received such payments; and what the monetary value was of the largest 20 payments made in each such year.

Simon Burns: The information requested is given in tables for the Department of Health and its non-departmental bodies.
	For the Department itself, non-consolidated performance payments (NCPPs) are an integral part of the Department's reward strategy for all its staff. They have to be re-earned each year and do not add to future pay bill costs. These payments are used to reward outstanding performance and behaviours in delivering the Department's agenda.
	Non-consolidated performance payments are funded from within existing pay bill controls. In the case of the senior civil service, the percentage of pay bill set aside for performance-related awards is based on recommendations from the independent Senior Salaries Review Body. For staff at administrative officer to grade 6, the percentage of pay bill set aside was determined by a three-year pay settlement introduced in 2008-09.
	The information is set out in the associated tables which have been placed in the Library. Details are not available for the core Department and its agency the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency before 2004-05 because of a change in service provider.

Departmental Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what allowances and payments in addition to salary were available to officials in his Department and its non-departmental bodies in each year since 1997; and what the monetary value was of payments and allowances of each type in each such year.

Simon Burns: The Department has a number of allowances and payments in addition to basic pay. These include scarce skills allowances and overtime. Different allowances and payments exist in the Department's non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). The total payments for the Department and its NDPBs are shown in tables which have been placed in the Library. The Department moved to a new pay and grading system for staff below senior civil service in 2006 with much less reliance on allowances.

Departmental Pay

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff employed by his Department were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: All the Department's employees (permanent civil servants and those on fixed term appointments) are paid at rates for which the hourly equivalent is above the current 'London Living wage' of £7.85 per hour.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of the effect of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax on his Department's annual expenditure.

Simon Burns: The Department has a wide variety of areas of expenditure which exposes it to different levels of VAT and the amount that can be recovered. Information on the amount of irrecoverable VAT (the amount affected by the increase in standard rate) is not collected as there is no business need for this information.
	A high level estimate, based on the best currently available information, indicates that the effect of each percentage point increase in the standard rate of VAT is around £130 million per year.

Diabetes: Finance

Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on access to  (a) consultant-led care and  (b) diabetic consumables funded by the NHS for diabetics; what proportion of the NHS budget is allocated to diabetic care; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: The Secretary of State for Health has not received any recent specific representations on consultant-led diabetes care. All people with diabetes should have access to a multidisciplinary diabetes specialist team, including a consultant in diabetes, when necessary. Treatment for people with diabetes must be tailored to each person's individual needs at that particular time in his or her life.
	It is for national health service organisations to determine the needs of their local population and to allocate resources appropriately to meet these needs. Diabetes is a complex condition that can affect every part of the body, which mean that it is difficult to calculate its exact cost to the NHS.

Disability: Children

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department plans to allocate to the Aiming High for Disabled Children programme in  (a) 2011-12,  (b) 2012-13 and  (c) 2013-14.

Anne Milton: The Aiming High for Disabled Children programme, launched by the previous Government will continue until the end of March 2011. The Childhood and Families Taskforce announced by the Deputy Prime Minister (Nick Clegg) in July this year is looking at ways to provide greater support for disabled children. Also £20 million is being made available to support respite care, funding recycled from the ending of the Government's contribution to Children's Trust funds.
	The recently announced Special Educational Needs Green Paper also demonstrates that disabled children are a priority for the coalition Government. The important role of carers has also been recognised with the recent publication of a Carers Strategy in November, Government will provide local authorities with £800 million over the next four years to fund short breaks for families with disabled children.
	The NHS White Paper 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS' will also provide a real opportunity for ill and disabled children and their families by placing patients firmly at the heart of everything the national health service does.

Domestic Violence: Public Expenditure

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding his Department has allocated for support to victims of domestic violence in each year of the comprehensive spending review period; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: The spending review increased health spending in cash terms by 10.3% by 2014-15. All patients, including victims of domestic violence, will benefit from this additional investment in health care and from the White Paper reforms.
	On 15 December 2010, the Department announced increased total funding for primary care trusts (PCTs) of 3% in cash terms, including PCT recurrent allocations.
	PCT recurrent revenue allocations are not broken down by policy or service area. Once allocated, it is for PCTs to commission the services they require to meet the health care needs of their local populations, taking account of both local and national priorities.

Domestic Violence: Public Expenditure

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding his Department has allocated for support to victims of domestic violence in each year since 2005.

Anne Milton: Support for victims of domestic violence may be provided by universal and specialist health services, which are commissioned by primary care trusts (PCTs). PCT recurrent revenue allocations are not broken down by policy or service area. Once allocated, it is for PCTs to commission the services they require to meet the health care needs of their local populations, taking account of both local and national priorities.
	In addition to PCT allocations, the Department has also funded voluntary and charitable organisations to deliver a range of projects that support victims of domestic violence. This includes:
	£500,000 grant payment to the National Domestic Violence Helpline in March 2009; and
	£439,530 was committed to fund specialist services run by voluntary and charitable organisations through the Innovation, Excellence and Service Development (IESD) fund. Applications for the 2011-12 IESD fund are currently being assessed.

Headaches: Health Services

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much the NHS spent on interventions for headache and migraine sufferers in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will take steps to provide training to general practitioners on the prevention and detection of migraine and headaches among patients.

Paul Burstow: Data on national health service expenditure on interventions for headache and migraine sufferers are not collected.
	Training of general practitioners in the prevention and detection of headaches and migraines is the responsibility of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Headaches: Research

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will promote research into the causes of migraines and headaches.

Simon Burns: The Department's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes applications for support into any aspect of human health, including migraine and headache. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made. In all disease areas, the amount of NIHR funding depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity.
	The NIHR-funded University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre is undertaking research on headache and pain. A five-year budget of £3.7 million has been allocated to this work.

Health Visitors: Finance

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to allocate funding to meet the commitment contained in the 2010 Drugs Strategy to recruit 4,200 extra health visitors by 2015.

Anne Milton: Spending review announcements in late October this year included confirmation of new investment in health visitors within the national health service settlement. The intention to increase the work force by 4,200 was also referenced in the Government's Drugs Strategy, published on 8 December.

Hepatitis

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what general health problems his Department has identified among people with hepatitis C infections which were attributable to the prior infection; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: Acute hepatitis C infection usually occurs without causing any or only mild symptoms.
	Chronic hepatitis C infection may be associated with a range of non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, bodily pain and joint symptoms. Chronic infection has also been associated with a range of specific conditions affecting parts of the body other than the liver, such as impaired cognitive function. A proportion of patients with chronic infection will go on to develop cirrhosis and primary liver cancer, and there may be a need for liver transplantation some cases.
	Patients who have cleared chronic hepatitis C infection through drug therapy, or much more rarely without such treatment, do not usually experience ongoing symptoms, although patients who have already developed cirrhosis remain at risk of further complications.

Hip Replacement: Surgery

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hip replacement operations have taken place in  (a) City of Manchester,  (b) Greater Manchester,  (c) North West England and  (d) England in each month since April 2010.

Simon Burns: Information specific to "hip operations" is not available. The provisional count of finished consultant episodes where a main or secondary procedure was "hip replacement" is available in the following table. It has been broken down by the primary care trust (PCT)/strategic health authority (SHA) area of the patients' treatment between April 2010 and August 2010:
	
		
			  Provisional( 1)  count of finished consultant episodes( 2)  where a main or secondary procedure( 3)  was "hip replacement"( 4)  broken down by the PCT/SHA area of the patients' treatment, April 2010 to August 2010-Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			   April  May  June  July  August 
			 England 8,382 8,850 9,231 9,366 8,666 
			  of which were treated in:  
			 North West SHA 1,150 1,118 1,221 1,196 1,151 
			   
			  of which were treated in:  
			 Manchester PCT 132 133 146 127 149 
			   
			  Other Greater Manchester PCTs 156 152 152 184 167 
			 Salford PCT 18 29 28 40 25 
			 Stockport PCT 58 61 50 59 56 
			 Bolton PCT 26 21 38 28 40 
			 Tameside and Glossop PCT 22 20 19 20 27 
			 Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT 11 9 11 23 12 
			 Trafford PCT 22 12 6 14 8 
			 (1 ) Provisional data The data is provisional and may be incomplete or contain errors for which no adjustments have yet been made. Counts produced from provisional data are likely to be lower than those generated for the same period in the final dataset. This shortfall will be most pronounced in the final month of the latest period, i.e. November from the (month 9) April to November extract. It is also probable that clinical data are not complete, which may in particular affect the last two months of any given period. There may also be errors due to coding inconsistencies that have not yet been investigated and corrected.  (2 ) Finished Consultant Episode (FCE) FCE is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year.  (3 ) Number of episodes with a (named) main or secondary procedure The number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and four prior to 2002-03) procedure fields in a hospital episode statistics (HES) record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one procedure field of the record. Note that more procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients undergoing a "cataract operation" would tend to have at least two procedures-removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one-counted in a single episode.  (4)( ) OPCS Procedure codes used to define "Hip replacement" W37 Total prosthetic replacement of hip joint using cement W38 Total prosthetic replacement of hip joint not using cement W39 Other total prosthetic replacement of hip joint W93 Hybrid prosthetic replacement of hip joint using cemented acetabular component W94 Hybrid prosthetic replacement of hip joint using cemented femoral component W95 Hybrid prosthetic replacement of hip joint using cement W46 Prosthetic replacement of head of femur using cement W47 Prosthetic replacement of head of femur not using cement W48 Other prosthetic replacement of head of femur   Note:  Oldham PCT and Bury PCT are also considered in Greater Manchester but returned no episodes with a main or secondary procedure of "hip replacement."   Source:  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. 
		
	
	The term "hip operations" is considered too broad by the clinical coding team at Connecting for Health, therefore counts of "hip replacements" have been provided.

Hospitals: Waiting Lists

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospitals did not meet the NHS Constitution waiting time target of 18 weeks for each reporting period from 2006 to 2010.

Simon Burns: The NHS Constitution right for patients
	"to access services within maximum waiting times, or for the national health service to take all reasonable steps to offer you a range of alternative providers if this is not possible"
	has been in place since 1 April 2010. NHS commissioners have a legal duty to commission services that meet maximum waiting time standards and to offer redress to patients who have waited longer if patients request this. The Department does not collect information centrally on patients who seek to exercise their right to redress under the NHS Constitution.
	The Department collects and publishes monthly referral to treatment consultant-led waiting times for each NHS provider. These are available from January 2007 for patients admitted to hospital and from August 2007 for patients whose treatment did not require an admission. These data include information on how many patients waited more than 18 weeks before starting treatment and this information is contained in tables which have been placed in the Library. The Department does not collect information on the reasons why patients waited longer than 18 weeks but this will include those patients who chose to wait longer for personal or social reasons, for example to work around family or work commitments, or where waiting longer was clinically appropriate.

Kidneys: Transplant Surgery

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he made of the number of  (a) female,  (b) male and  (c) child patients who died while waiting for a kidney transplant in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Anne Milton: The figures for the number of patients dying while waiting for a kidney transplant should not be seen in isolation: although the number of deaths on the kidney waiting list has remained fairly static over the last five years, this needs to be seen in the context of an increase in patients being added to the waiting list along with the increase, year on year, in both donors and transplants.
	
		
			  Number on patients who died while on the waiting list for a kidney transplant 
			  Number on waiting list who have died while waiting for a kidney transplant 
			   Total number on kidney waiting list as of 31 March  Total number of deceased and living kidney donors  Total number of transplants from deceased and living kidney donors  Male  Female  Paediatric  Total 
			 2005-06 5,863 1,311 1,915 263 174 2 439 
			 2006-07 6,481 1,455 2,130 233 179 3 415 
			 2007-08 6,980 1,620 2,284 252 168 1 421 
			 2008-09 7,190 1,786 2,575 262 185 2 449 
			 2009-10 7,183 1,968 2,694 264 171 3 438 
		
	
	This table includes patients who donated or received solely kidneys or kidneys and other organs.

Maternity Services

Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to increase the  (a) availability and  (b) standard of provision for psychological and social support for new mothers of pre-term babies since 2009.

Paul Burstow: More and more people across England are getting access to psychological therapies for the most common mental health problems, such as anxiety disorders or depression. About 140 new psychological therapy services are now up and running around the country and by March 2011 60% of primary care trusts will have an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service. 900,000 extra people with depression and/or anxiety disorders will have been seen in the first three years of the programme. Some 3,600 more therapists will have been employed in the same period, already meeting the programme's March 2011 target.
	The Health settlement in the spending review included funding to expand access to talking therapies. The money will complete the roll-out of the nationwide training programme and services which began in 2008 and begin to extend the benefits of talking therapies to the young, the elderly, those with serious mental illness and those who have anxiety disorders or depression alongside long-term physical health conditions like diabetes, heart or lung disease. By March 2011, the roll-out will achieve 60% geographical coverage of England. The spending review settlement will complete this by 2014-15.
	With regard to social support, the coalition programme committed the Government to reforming the system of social care in England to provide much more control to individuals and their carers. On 16 November 2010 we published 'A Vision for Adult Social Care: Capable Communities and Active Citizens', which sets the context for the future direction of adult social care in England and a copy has been placed in the Library.
	The Vision focuses on the Government commitments to:
	break down barriers between health and social care funding to incentivise preventative action;
	extend the greater rollout of personal budgets to give people and their carers more control and purchasing power; and
	use direct payments to carers and better community-based provision to improve access to respite care.
	We want to make services more personalised, more preventative and more focused on delivering the best outcomes for those who use them. The document also states that councils should provide personal budgets, preferably as a direct payment, for everyone eligible, by 2013, and develop the Big Society, with more local preventative activity to support people's independence.
	On 4 November 2010, the social care sector published 'Think Local, Act Personal: Next Steps for Transforming Adult Social Care', which sets out the sector's commitment to moving forward with personalisation and community-based support. To support its implementation, a number of best practice documents have been published and are available on the Putting People First website at:
	www.puttingpeoplefirst.org.uk

Memory Clinics

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS memory clinics there are in each primary care trust area; and how many of these have been set up since the launch of the National Dementia Strategy in February 2009.

Paul Burstow: The Department does not hold the data requested centrally. We will as part of the National Audit of Dementia services be collecting data on dementia services including memory assessment services. The first results from this are expected at the end of the year.
	National health service organisations should already be working with partners to implement the National Dementia Strategy. Localities are asked to provide information that helps those with dementia and their families or carers to understand what is available in local services and the level of quality and outcomes that they can expect.

National Specialised Services Advisory Group

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the likely annual budget of the Advisory Group for National Specialised Services for the appraisal of ultra orphan drugs;
	(2)  what account he expects the Advisory Group for National Specialised Services to take of reports by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence;
	(3)  whether medicines for ultra-orphan diseases which have been rejected by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will be referred to the Advisory Group for National Specialised Services.

Simon Burns: There is no specific funding identified for the Advisory Group for National Specialised Services (AGNSS) to undertake consideration of drugs for very rare conditions. It is part of the running costs for the secretariat to the group. Funds to run AGNSS are agreed on an annual basis and Ministers are currently considering the running costs for 2011-12.
	AGNSS will take into account any relevant guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) where it relates to nationally commissioned services.
	Drugs that have been appraised by NICE are not eligible for consideration by AGNSS.

NHS 111

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish a report on the outcome of his Department's pilots of the 111 service.

Simon Burns: The final evaluation report on the NHS 111 pilots will be published by spring 2012.

NHS Litigation Authority: Claims

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the liabilities arising from claims received by the NHS Litigation Authority since 2000 in respect of  (a) the time taken and  (b) failures to carry out a caesarean section.

Simon Burns: I have been advised by the national health service litigation authority that the estimate of the liabilities arising from claims where a delay in performing caesarean section is mentioned in the claims is £52.3 million. The estimate of the liabilities arising from claims where failure to perform a caesarean section is mentioned in the claim is £49 million.

NHS Trusts: Finance

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospital trusts have a financial position supported by non-recurrent financial support; and how much each has received in such support in 2010-11 to date.

Simon Burns: The Department does not provide any non recurrent revenue financial support to support the financial position reported by hospital trusts.
	The Department is able to issue non recurrent cash support, in the form of, interest bearing, working capital loans to hospital national health service trusts and foundation trusts. These loans are only approved where hospital trusts are able to afford the repayments
	The Department is also able to issue capital investment loans to hospital NHS trusts and foundation trusts. However, due to the long-term nature of the investment they are supporting, they are not considered to be non recurrent financial support.
	Hospital NHS trusts also have the facility to borrow cash from the Department on a temporary basis in the form of public dividend capital. These will often occur in advance of a working capital loan or capital investment loan.
	At a local level, strategic health authorities may provide financial support to hospital trusts for strategic investments or other local circumstances.
	The following tables 1 and 2 detail the working capital loans that have been issued or agreed during the financial year 2010-11, and the temporary borrowing issued during the financial year 2010-11.
	Table 3 show the amounts of non recurrent financial support that has been provided to hospital trusts during the financial year 2010-11, as notified to the Department by the strategic health authorities.
	Hospital foundation trusts are autonomous organisations and are accountable to Monitor, their Independent Regulator. Unlike hospital NHS trusts, they are exempt from supplying certain information to the Department. Therefore the information in the tables in respect of foundation trusts is only on working capital loans provided by the Department in 2010-11 and local financial support as notified by the strategic health authorities.
	
		
			  Table 1: Working capital loans for hospitals issued or agreed in 2010-11 
			   Value of working capital loan  ( £ million ) 
			 East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust 6.0 
			 Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals Foundation Trust (1)18.0 
			 Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust 6.5 
			 (1) This has been agreed but has not yet been issued to the trust 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Temporary borrowing for hospital trusts issued in 2010-11 
			   Value of temporary borrowing (£ million) 
			 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 9.0 
			 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 10.0 
			 Newham University Hospital NHS Trust 2.1 
			 North Bristol NHS Trust 8.0 
			 North Cumbria University Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 2.5 
			 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 8.6 
			 South London Healthcare NHS Trust 38.8 
			 The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust 4.6 
			 The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust 3.0 
			 Weston Area Health NHS Trust 3.9 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Local non recurrent financial support provided to hospital trusts in 2010-11 
			   Value of revenue support  (£ million) 
			 Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 2.1 
			 Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust 10.0 
			 Newham University Hospitals NHS Trust 1.5 
			 North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust 5.4 
			 Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust 7.0 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust 1.5 
			 Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust 9.0 
			 St George's Healthcare NHS Trust 4.0 
			 University Hospital of North Staffordshire Hospital NHS Trust 10.0 
			 Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust 4.3 
			 Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust 3.0

North East

Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which Ministers in his Department have visited the North East since their appointment.

Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley) and my noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Earl Howe), have both visited the north-east since appointment.

Orphan Drugs

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instruct the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to give greater consideration to the relevance of low patient population numbers in its appraisal processes for ultra-orphan drugs.

Simon Burns: We have no plans to do so. As an independent body, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is responsible for developing its technology appraisal methodology. NICE has appraised treatments for conditions with very small patient populations where they have met the published criteria for referral.
	The estimated size of the patient population for a treatment is considered alongside other factors in assessing whether it is suitable for appraisal. The overarching consideration in determining whether a topic should be referred to NICE is whether NICE guidance can add value.
	NICE consults periodically on its technology appraisal processes and methods, and last did so in 2008-09.

Primary Care Trusts: Conditions of Employment

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether those GP commissioning consortia which employ staff previously employed by primary care trusts will take on associated TUPE liabilities.

Simon Burns: The application of Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) will always be a matter of law based on the individual circumstances of the particular transfer. Employers will need to establish the legal position for their own specific transfer situations. In circumstances where TUPE does not strictly apply, public sector transfers may be covered by the Cabinet Office 'Staff Transfers in the Public Sector Statement of Practice' (COSOP), where the transfer is effected on terms that are overall no less favourable than if TUPE had applied.
	Equally, staff transfer schemes established by the Secretary of State may transfer staff on similar or the same terms as if TUPE had applied. These are sometimes, referred to as 'TUPE-like' terms.
	Where TUPE or COSOP applies or a staff transfer scheme is used, then the terms and conditions of staff will be protected.

Primary Care Trusts: Conditions of Employment

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the removal of the two-tier TUPE code applies to primary care trust (PCT) staff transferring from PCTs to GP consortia.

Simon Burns: The "two-tier" code (Code of Practice on Workforce Matters in Public Sector Service Contracts) would not have applied to the transfer of staff from primary care trusts to general practitioner consortia, which will be statutory bodies subject to legislation. Therefore, its removal is not relevant in this situation.

Primary Care Trusts: Debts

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what terms the debts of primary care trusts will be partially or wholly written off after the creation of GP commissioning consortia.

Simon Burns: The strategic health authorities will be working with the primary care trusts (PCTs) in their region to ensure that through the planning process for 2011-12 and 2012-13 all existing legacy debt is dealt with.
	General practitioner (GP) consortia will have their own budgets from 2013-14 and they will not be responsible for resolving PCT legacy debt that arose prior to 2011-12.
	During 2011-12 and 2012-13, we expect developing GP consortia to work closely with PCTs to ensure that financial control and balance is maintained to prevent PCT deficits in those years.

Primary Care Trusts: Manpower

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of primary care trust staff who will be employed by GP commissioning consortia.

Simon Burns: No estimate has been made of the proportion of primary care trust staff who will be employed by general practitioner (GP) commissioning consortia. GP commissioning consortia will have the opportunity to plan how they intend to carry out their future functions. In particular, they will be able to decide what activities they will undertake for themselves by employing or engaging their own staff, what activities they will carry out on a collaborative basis (e.g. through a lead consortium arrangement or through collaboration with local authorities), and what activities they wish to buy from external support organisations.

Queen Alexandra Hospital: Private Finance Initiative

Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the total running costs for the Queen Alexandra hospital in Portsmouth was paid to the PFI provider in 2009-10; and what proportion of the total is projected to be paid to that provider in  (a) 2010-11 and  (b) each subsequent year for which projections have been made.

Simon Burns: The information is not held in the format requested. Information is collected by trust, not by individual hospital. Queen Alexandra hospital is part of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, which comprises more than one site. The data provided in the following table relates to the proportion of total revenue expenditure by Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust in respect of its private finance initiative (PFI) scheme.
	Data are not held centrally for 2010-11 or 2011-12.
	
		
			  Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust-proportion of total revenue expenditure relating to PFI scheme 
			   Percentage of total operating expenses relating to PFI 
			 2009-10 8.2 
			  Notes: 1. The figures provided represent the net operating expenses in respect of PFI schemes as a proportion of total operating expenses. 2. 2009-10 accounts were compiled under International Finance Reporting Standards, under which PFI costs in the audited summarisation schedules of trusts are split between capital repayments and revenue expenditure elements. An estimate of the PFI unitary payment for 2009-10 is held centrally by the Department as well as the audited outturn revenue expenditure figure for the Trust for this year. The percentage figure for this year is calculated using these two figures.  Source: Audited Summarisation Schedules 2009-10

Surgery: Costs

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospital trusts have  (a) frozen and  (b) postponed elective surgical procedures since 1 October 2010 on grounds of cost.

Simon Burns: The Department does not collect information on how many national health service hospital trusts have frozen or postponed elective surgical procedures on grounds of cost.
	Patients' rights to access services within maximum waiting times under the NHS constitution will continue and clinical priority remains the main determinant of when patients should be treated.
	Commissioners should ensure that waiting times performance does not deteriorate and where possible improves.

Thromboembolism

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure consistent assurance by strategic health authorities of acute provider CQUIN data returns, with regard to the requirement under the national goal to reduce avoidable death, disability and chronic ill health from venous thromboembolism for census data returns, rather than sample data returns.

Simon Burns: The Department issued guidance on the national mandatory venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment data collection in March 2010 and May 2010. This guidance included a specific expectation that medical directors of provider organisations take responsibility for local assurance of VTE risk assessment procedures and also the involvement of strategic health authority medical directors in respect of quality assurance of our national approach to VTE risk assessment data collection.

Thromboembolism

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the amount of money that has been paid in each strategic health authority area to acute providers through commissioners as part of the CQUIN National Goal to reduce avoidable death, disability and chronic ill health from venous thromboembolism;
	(2)  whether any primary care trusts have withheld CQUIN payments to acute providers in any cases where the acute provider has met the requirements of the CQUIN National Goal to reduce avoidable death, disability and chronic ill health from venous thromboembolism.

Simon Burns: The Department does not hold information centrally on commissioning for quality and innovation (CQUIN) payments. This is solely for commissioners and providers to agree and manage through their local contractual relationship.

Thromboembolism

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to ensure that strategic health authorities have made primary care trust commissioners aware of the contractual obligations contained in the standard NHS contract for acute hospitals under which acute service providers must report to their lead commissioner through monthly audits of the percentage of patients receiving appropriate prophylaxis after risk assessment using the national tool, coupled with a report of root cause analysis of all confirmed cases of hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism.

Simon Burns: The national health service standard contracts are used by primary care trusts (PCTs) when commissioning NHS funded care from all provider types. Strategic health authorities as local system managers, are responsible for ensuring that PCTs have signed contracts with their providers in line with requirements set out in the Operating Framework. Where a provider fails to provide the information required by a PCT, commissioners can levy a financial withholding until the data are provided. The withholding is based on 1% of the total of the monthly contract value.

Tuberculosis

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of tuberculosis infection; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: The Health Protection Agency published its annual report on tuberculosis surveillance in the United Kingdom on 4 November 2010. A copy has been placed in the Library.
	This report supports the need for the Department's plans to take a radical new approach to public health, with more effective national and local systems for tackling key public health challenges, such as tuberculosis.

Welsh Language

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department last published a Welsh language scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993; and at which web addresses such schemes can be accessed in  (a) Welsh and  (b) English.

Simon Burns: The Department has not published a Welsh language scheme.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Addison Lee

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether  (a) his Department and  (b) the public bodies for which it is responsible contracts services from Addison Lee private hire taxi company.

Edward Davey: Yes, the Department has recently contracted with Addison Lee using the DWP framework contract.
	Information for the Department's non-departmental public bodies can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Adult Education: Newham

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people attended adult education courses in  (a) the London Borough of Newham and  (b) London in (i) 2008 and (ii) 2009.

John Hayes: The following table shows the number of adults aged 19 or over participating in Government-funded further education in Newham local authority, London and England in 2007/08 and 2008/09.
	This includes participation across further education, apprenticeships, Train to Gain, Adult Safeguarded Learning and University for Industry funding streams.
	
		
			  Further education adult (19+) participation by geography in 2007/08 and 2008/09 
			  2007/08 2008/09(1) 
			 Newham local authority 24,800 28,800 
			 London 513,300 564,800 
			 England 3,304,400 3,771,200 
			 (1) Figures for 2008/09 are not directly comparable to earlier years as the introduction of demand-led funding has changed how data is collected and how funded learners are defined from 2008/09 onwards. More information on demand led funding is available at: http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/datadictionary/businessdefinitions/Demand+Led+Funding.htm  Notes 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 2. Age is based on learner age at the start of the academic year. 3. Government office region and local authority are based upon the home postcode of the learner. The England figure includes learners whose postcode is outside of England or unknown. 4. Information in this table is based on all Government-funded learners. 5. These data include FE, apprenticeships/work based learning, Train to Gain, Adult Safeguarded Learning and University for Industry funding streams.  Source: Individualised Learner Record

Consumer Focus: Redundancy Pay

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the redundancy costs arising from the closure of Consumer Focus in the next three years.

Edward Davey: We are working closely with Consumer Focus, Citizens Advice, and others on the; proposed transfer of sectoral advocacy functions to Citizens Advice. The number and cost of any redundancies will depend on the number of staff required to participate in the proposed new model of consumer representation. We will consult in the spring of 2011 on our proposals, including options for implementation.

Demonstrations: Parliament Square

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which buildings occupied by his Department were damaged during the demonstration in Parliament Square on 9 December 2010; what estimate he has of the cost of repairs; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: None of the buildings the Department occupies were damaged during the demonstration in Parliament Square on 9 December 2010.

Demonstrations: Parliament Square

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he  (a) is taking and  (b) plans to take to protect from damage the buildings leased by his Department from damage during demonstrations; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: The Department is currently liaising with the police on what measures we should take to protect our buildings during demonstrations and looking at experience across departments as well as normal security sources.

Departmental Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many invoices his Department processed in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Edward Davey: During the period 1 December 2009 to 30 November 2010 the Department processed 32,076 invoices.

Departmental Consultants

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has spent on  (a) consultants and  (b) temporary employees in each month since April 2010.

Edward Davey: The following table shows monthly spend by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on consultants and temporary employees since April 2010. In producing these figures, we have used the Office for National Statistics (ONS) definition of 'temporary/casual employees' which is:
	"those who have a fixed term contract of 12 months or less or are employed on a casual basis."
	
		
			  £ 
			  2010  Spend on consultants  Spend on temporary employees 
			 April 848,310 759,051 
			 May 95,012 752,617 
			 June 197,397 750,226 
			 July 146,592 742,062 
			 August 526,577 712,312 
			 September 281,954 641,273 
			 October 609,134 631,743 
			 November 443,499 591,568

Departmental Contracts

Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of quality management statements in assisting with contract decisions by his Department; and what assessment he has made of the effects on the prospects for small businesses of winning contracts of such statements.

Edward Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills assesses quality management statements at pre-qualification and tender stages and uses these to evaluate both the ability of the company to deliver the project and any value for money implications. A wide range of suppliers including small businesses have proved themselves successful in satisfying the requirements of quality management statements.

Departmental Overtime

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent on overtime for staff working within his private office in each of the last five years.

Edward Davey: Overtime costs were as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2005-06(1) 33,030.23 
			 2006-07(2) 48,001.09 
			 2007-08(3) 38,784.67 
			 2008-09(4) 33,254.27 
			 2009-10(5) 75,859.57 
			 (1) 2005-06: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). (2) 2006-07: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). (3) 2007-08: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) until June 2007 and then Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). (4) 2008-09: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). (5) 2009-10: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) until June 2009 and then merged with Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) in June 2009 to form Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Therefore 2009-10 figure includes overtime costs for both Departments during the period April to June 2009.

Departmental Public Consultation

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many submissions his Department received to his call for evidence on consumer credit and personal insolvency; and how many such submissions  (a) referenced the need for steps to address the cost of credit and  (b) called for a cap on the amount that can be charged for credit.

Edward Davey: As of 15 December the call for evidence has received 184 substantive submissions. The call for evidence closed on 10 December but to ensure we obtain all the evidence to enable us to make the best decisions for consumers and business, my Department has agreed to accept late submissions and these are still being received.
	We have received 43 responses to the questions on an interest rate cap for credit and store cards and 56 responses that referenced interest rate caps on high cost credit products have been received. 53 responses to the questions on OFT's review of high cost credit have also been received.
	The call for evidence has so far received 1,740 individual e-mails that call for Government to introduce an interest rate cap on high cost credit products.
	Most responses were received towards the end of the call for evidence and my officials are in the process of carrying out detailed analysis of all the responses received.

Departmental Vacancies

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many posts in his Department have been unfilled in each month since April 2010; and what the saving from the non-filling of such posts has been in that period.

Edward Davey: As part of the £6.2 billion savings announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in May, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills committed to making savings of £38 million (11% reduction in running cost budgets) in 2010-11.
	The Department's systems do not currently monitor the number of posts that are unfilled in each month. As part of the £38 million savings, we have successfully concluded a voluntary exit scheme which has seen a 330 reduction on the core Department's headcount. The full year saving from this will be £16.4 million, with £8.2 million of these savings accruing in the current financial year.

Everything Everywhere

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment Ofcom has made of the effects of the formation of Everything Everywhere on the competitive position of the broadband market in the UK.

Edward Vaizey: The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. According to Ofcom, the competition issues relating to the merger between T-Mobile and Orange that resulted in the formation of Everything Everywhere were looked at by the European Commission, involving Ofcom in the process. This considered all potential impacts that the merger might have in the various affected markets.
	A particular potential concern was the joint venture's holdings of spectrum and the potential impacts these would have on future competition in mobile broadband services. The Commission also focused on the impact that the merger would have on the network sharing agreement held between T-Mobile and Hutchison 3G. The Commission accepted undertakings to divest spectrum holdings in the 1.8 GHz band and the merging parties' commitment to maintain the network sharing agreement to enable competition in the future.
	Furthermore, and separately from the merger, in terms of the future development of the mobile broadband market, the Secretary of State will direct Ofcom to do a competition assessment in connection with the release of spectrum in the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands, and Ofcom is already working on such an assessment.

Export Credit Guarantees: Lancashire

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 29 November 2010,  Official Report, columns 594-5W, on export credit guarantees, with how many exporters in  (a) Lancashire,  (b) Haslingden and  (c) Hyndburn the Export Credits Guarantee Department has engaged since 2005.

Edward Davey: Since 2005 the Export Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD) has engaged with a number of trade bodies and attended numerous trade fairs and exhibitions all around the country.
	Recently, ECGD attended an exhibition and conference run by the Energy Industries Council (EIC), a national trade association, in Manchester where local companies as well as others were represented including the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) local representatives. ECGD has also engaged with the International Trade Adviser representing UKTI in the north-west.
	ECGD does not have comprehensive details of all the companies with which it made contact in this context and has no record of having specifically made contact with companies in Haslingden and Hyndburn, but does not rule this out.

Financial Services

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department has assessed the merits of  (a) applying a total cost of borrowing figure to high street bank overdraft fees and charges and  (b) temporarily applying an annual percentage rate to high street bank overdrafts to enable consumers to compare the cost of such overdrafts to other short-term cash solutions.

Edward Davey: As part of the review of consumer credit and personal insolvency, BIS and HM Treasury issued a joint call for evidence in October. The call for evidence closed on 10 December. As part of this review evidence was collected on the impact of high bank charges. BIS and HMT are working through this evidence and will be coming forward with proposals in due course.

Foreign Trade: Israel

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary value of  (a) exports to and  (b) imports from, Israel was in each of the last 10 years.

Mark Prisk: The data requested are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  UK trade in goods and services with Israel 2000-2009: (£ million, current prices) 
			   UK exports to Israel  UK imports from Israel 
			 2000 1,961 1,291 
			 2001 1,868 1,253 
			 2002 1,857 1,082 
			 2003 1,729 1,074 
			 2004 1,793 1,153 
			 2005 1,908 1,251 
			 2006 1,762 1,260 
			 2007 1,743 1,350 
			 2008 1,874 1,465 
			 2009 1,667 1,406 
			  Source:  United Kingdom Balance of Payments, The Pink Book, ONS

Higher Education

Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of students beginning undergraduate degree courses in English universities in  (a) 1990,  (b) 1995,  (c) 2000,  (d) 2005 and  (e) 2007 completed their course and graduated.

David Willetts: Information on completion rates at English higher education institutions is shown in the table for the 1996/97, 2000/01, 2005/06 and 2007/08 academic years. Completion rate refers to the proportion of UK-domiciled full-time first degree starters who are projected to gain a first degree qualification. Figures for 1990 and 1995 are not available and the earliest available information on completion rates, for the 1996/97 academic year, is provided here as an alternative. More information on completion rates in higher education is available from the Higher Education Statistics Agency at the following link
	http://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php/content/category/2/32/141/
	
		
			  Projected completion rates for full-time first degree starters( 1)  English higher education institutions: Academic years 1996/ 97, 2000/ 01, 2005/ 06 and 2007/ 08 
			  Academic Year  Completion rate (%) 
			 1996/97 76.8 
			 2000/01 78.1 
			 2005/06 78.0 
			 2007/08 78.2 
			 (1) Refers to UK-domiciled full-time first degree students of all ages starting a first degree who were projected to gain a first degree qualification: this completion rate is calculated by identifying a group of starting students known as a cohort, consisting of all students who started at UK higher education institutions on a full-time first degree course of study in a particular year. Their future progression outcomes-whether they qualify, transfer to another institution, or do not continue-are then projected, based on current progression patterns at higher education institutions.  Notes: Percentages are given to one decimal place.  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA): Performance Indicators in higher education in the UK

Higher Education: Admissions

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many pupils not eligible for free school meals took up a place at each university in  (a) 2005-06,  (b) 2006-7 and  (c) 2007-8.

David Willetts: The information requested is shown in the table. These figures relate to pupils who were not in receipt of free school meals (FSM). The figures may include pupils who are eligible for FSM but do not claim. These figures have been estimated using matched data from the National Pupil Database and the Higher Education Statistics Agency Student Record. These rounded estimates allow for a small margin of error that arises as result of the matching procedure deployed.
	
		
			  Estimates of the number of non-FSM pupils aged 15 in English maintained schools who progress to HE by age 19, by higher education institution 
			  UK Higher Education Institution  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08 
			 The Open University 1,080 1,205 1,320 
			 Bishop Grosseteste University College, Lincoln 190 200 230 
			 Buckinghamshire New University 750 770 775 
			 Central School of Speech and Drama 105 100 85 
			 University of Chester 1,160 1,430 1,485 
			 Canterbury Christ Church University 1,205 1,220 1,245 
			 York St John University 790 915 960 
			 University College Plymouth St Mark and St John 320 365 350 
			 Dartington College of Arts 85 100 85 
			 Edge Hill University 1,050 1,205 1,255 
			 University College Falmouth 325 380 390 
			 Harper Adams University College 180 260 250 
			 Homerton College 10 0 0 
			 Kent Institute of Art & Design 15 0 0 
			 The University of Winchester 665 800 845 
			 Liverpool Hope University 660 695 740 
			 University of the Arts, London 885 950 1,190 
			 University of Bedfordshire 465 745 830 
			 The University of Northampton 1,065 1,150 1,025 
			 Newman College of Higher Education 200 255 300 
			 Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication 195 190 180 
			 Roehampton University 900 1,165 1,005 
			 Rose Bruford College 110 110 120 
			 Royal Academy of Music 15 15 25 
			 Royal College of Music 15 25 20 
			 Royal Northern College of Music 55 60 60 
			 Southampton Solent University 1,420 1,510 1,490 
			 St Martin's College 710 755 955 
			 St Mary's University College, Twickenham 475 550 560 
			 Leeds Trinity and All Saints 475 480 470 
			 Trinity Laban 80 80 75 
			 Surrey Institute of Art & Design 15 0 0 
			 Tie University of Worcester 610 590 670 
			 Anglia Ruskin University 1,495 1,280 1,425 
			 Bath Spa University 670 755 815 
			 The University of Bolton 325 420 445 
			 Bournemouth University 1,670 1,900 2,020 
			 The University of Brighton 1,635 1,925 1,920 
			 Birmingham City University 1,770 1,810 1,830 
			 The University of Central Lancashire 2,635 2,835 2,785 
			 University of Gloucestershire 975 1,035 1,090 
			 Coventry University 1,665 1,825 1,810 
			 University of Derby 1,270 1,435 1,375 
			 The University of East London 540 610 710 
			 The University of Greenwich 1,135 1,185 1,375 
			 University of Hertfordshire 2,705 2,675 2,405 
			 The University of Huddersfield 1,735 2,075 2,040 
			 The University of Lincoln 1,795 1,900 1,840 
			 Kingston University 1,895 2,235 2,240 
			 Leeds Metropolitan University 2,830 3,090 3,570 
			 Liverpool John Moores University 2,315 2,500 2,560 
			 The Manchester Metropolitan University 3,705 4,035 4,125 
			 Middlesex University 1,160 1,355 1,370 
			 De Montfort University 2,790 2,615 2,400 
			 The University of Northumbria at Newcastle 2,265 2,585 2,720 
			 The Nottingham Trent University 2,980 2,795 2,825 
			 Oxford Brookes University 1,180 1,260 1,160 
			 The University of Plymouth 2,620 2,910 2,800 
			 The University of Portsmouth 2,320 2,350 2,710 
			 Sheffield Hallam University 3,360 3,370 3,720 
			 London South Bank University 545 635 670 
			 Staffordshire University 885 1,065 1,585 
			 The University of Sunderland 1,240 1,245 1,315 
			 The University of Teesside 1,355 1,500 1,555 
			 Thames Valley University 530 595 495 
			 University of the West of England, Bristol 2,290 2,740 2,785 
			 The University of Chichester 545 580 605 
			 The University of Westminster 1,315 1,415 1,400 
			 Wimbeldon School of Art 65 5 0 
			 The University of Wolverhampton 1,965 2,035 1,955 
			 The University of Wales, Newport 200 225 205 
			 The North-East Wales Institute of Higher Education 125 145 115 
			 University of Wales Institute, Cardiff 500 505 545 
			 University of Glamorgan 340 370 425 
			 Swansea Institute of Higher Education 155 195 145 
			 Trinity College, Carmarthen 50 45 30 
			 University of Abertay Dundee 30 20 20 
			 Edinburgh College of Art 40 40 50 
			 Glasgow School of Art 35 70 55 
			 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh 45 65 40 
			 The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama 10 10 20 
			 The Robert Gordon University 15 25 20 
			 The University of Paisley 15 20 15 
			 Glasgow Caledonian University 40 35 30 
			 Napier University 50 60 50 
			 Aston University 975 1,090 1,090 
			 The University of Bath 1,055 995 1,120 
			 The University of Birmingham 2,715 2,570 2,770 
			 The University of Bradford 775 870 885 
			 The University of Bristol 1,350 1,370 1,535 
			 Brunel University 1,455 1,380 1,605 
			 The University of Cambridge 1,310 1,280 1,320 
			 The City University 640 745 770 
			 University of Durham 1,690 1,655 1,575 
			 The University of East Anglia 1,420 1,725 1,670 
			 The University of Essex 1,110 1,260 1,195 
			 The University of Exeter 1,390 1,320 1,610 
			 The University of Hull 1,895 1,850 1,975 
			 The University of Keele 1,245 1,345 1,135 
			 The University of Kent 1,840 2,055 2,135 
			 The University of Lancaster 1,700 1,675 1,680 
			 The University of Leeds 3,825 3,525 3,680 
			 The University of Leicester 1,250 1,325 1,385 
			 The University of Liverpool 2,185 2,145 2,240 
			 Birkbeck College 25 25 45 
			 Goldsmiths College 460 430 540 
			 Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine 540 605 625 
			 Institute of Education 0 - - 
			 King's College London 1,090 1,140 1,220 
			 London School of Economics and Political Science 330 280 305 
			 Queen Mary and Westfield College 945 1,100 1,385 
			 Royal Holloway and Bedford New College 785 770 880 
			 The Royal Veterinary College 165 160 180 
			 St George's Hospital Medical School 100 150 180 
			 The School of Oriental and African Studies 150 180 195 
			 The School of Pharmacy 70 60 75 
			 University College London 1,010 970 1,060 
			 University of London (Institutes and activities) 20 - 0 
			 Loughborough University 1,935 2,010 2,020 
			 The University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1,910 1,925 2,070 
			 The University of Nottingham 2,555 2,515 2,895 
			 Tie University of Oxford 1,215 1,175 1,255 
			 The University of Reading 1,415 1,470 1,750 
			 The University of Salford 1,780 1,745 1,730 
			 The University of Sheffield 3,050 2,965 2,890 
			 The University of Southampton 1,920 2,225 2,435 
			 The University of Surrey 870 965 1,035 
			 The University of Sussex 940 1,190 1,295 
			 The University of Warwick 1,485 1,415 1,555 
			 The University of York 1,290 1,265 1,415 
			 The University of Edinburgh 605 610 585 
			 The University of Glasgow 300 230 275 
			 The University of Strathclyde 50 55 45 
			 The University of Aberdeen 175 205 170 
			 Heriot-Watt University 105 90 90 
			 The University of Dundee 100 100 105 
			 The University of St Andrews 300 240 250 
			 The University of Stirling 125 150 130 
			 Scottish Agricultural College 5 5 - 
			 The University of Wales, Lampeter 80 105 75 
			 Aberystwyth University 995 1,025 780 
			 Bangor University 730 745 620 
			 Cardiff University 1,740 1,595 1,765 
			 Swansea University 800 780 820 
			 Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama 55 45 0 
			 The Queen's University of Belfast 50 45 55 
			 University of Ulster 25 35 25 
			 Writtle College 145 140 135 
			 Norwich School of Art and Design 150 190 245 
			 Cumbria Institute of the Arts 180 165 15 
			 Stranmills University College - 0 - 
			 St. Mary's University College 0 - - 
			 Royal Agricultural College 45 40 35 
			 UHI Millennium Institute 15 15 25 
			 The Arts Institute at Bournemouth 300 275 375 
			 Bell College 5 - - 
			 Conservatoire for Dance and Drama 85 110 95 
			 Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies 365 395 380 
			 Courtauld Institute of Art 10 20 15 
			 London Metropolitan University 890 925 895 
			 The University of Buckingham 10 10 25 
			 The University of Manchester 3,350 3,395 3,485 
			 Heythrop College 0 70 55 
			 The University College for the Creative Arts 835 850 885 
			 Leeds College of Music 50 25 40 
			 Guildhall School of Music and Drama 0 50 35 
			 Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts 0 95 95 
			 University Campus Suffolk 0 0 175 
			 Overall total non-FSM pupils 148,670 156,445 162,445 
			  Notes: 1. All figures are estimates and have been rounded to the nearest five, figures less than 5 are shown as '-', zero counts are shown as '0'.  2. Pupils' eligibility for free school meals is based on those recorded as such on Pupil Level Census. As this is a snapshot of pupils in one year, this may include pupils who claimed free school meals in previous years.  Source:  Matched data from the National Pupil Database, the Higher Education Statistics Agency Student Record and the Learning and Skills Council Individualised Learner Record.

Higher Education: Birmingham

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people resident in Birmingham, Ladywood constituency  (a) applied to attend university in the academic year 2010/11 and  (b) were successful in their applications; and what proportion of each were from disadvantaged backgrounds.

David Willetts: The information is in the following table and is provided by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and therefore mostly covers full-time undergraduate study.
	Applicants who were not accepted for entry can include: individuals who did not receive any offer; individuals who received an offer (conditional or unconditional) but decided not to go to University; individuals who received a conditional offer and fail to meet the specific conditions (e.g. they do not achieve certain grades); and individuals who decided to withdraw from the UCAS system.
	Applicants and accepted applicants from Birmingham Ladywood constituency to full-time undergraduate courses in UK institutions via UCAS by area background, 2010/11.
	
		
			  Area background  Applicants  % of total  Accepted applicants  % of total 
			 Disadvantaged(1) 1,141 70 737 69 
			 Other 497 30 336 31 
			 Grand Total 1,638 100 1,073 100 
			 (1) For the purposes of their funding allocations, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) treat entrants from the most disadvantaged 40 per cent of neighbourhoods as 'disadvantaged'  http://www.hefce.ac.uk/widen/fund/ HEFCE uses two different groupings of areas to define disadvantage which are based on the historic levels of participation or qualification in higher education by the local population: one based on the participation rates of young (19 and under) people in HE (which is used by HEFCE when looking at young full-time entrants); and one based on the proportion of adults in the area who hold HE qualifications (which is used by HEFCE when looking at part-time and mature full-time entrants). Because this table includes applicants and accepted applicants of all ages disadvantage is defined by the HE qualified adults measure.  Source:  UCAS provisional end of year data (represents applicants and accepted applicants at October 13 2010; end of year data will be available from 20th January 2011).

Higher Education: Disability

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the proportion of students at higher education institutions who  (a) have a physical disability and  (b) use a wheelchair.

David Willetts: The latest available information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency is shown in the following table. Figures for the 2009/10 academic year will be available in January 2011.
	
		
			  Enrolments( 1)  by Disability UK Higher Education Institutions-academic year 2008/09 
			  Disability  Percentage of known 
			 No known disability 92.0 
			 Blind/partially sighted 0.2 
			 Deaf/hearing impairment 0.3 
			 Wheelchair user/mobility difficulties 0.3 
			 Personal care support 0.0 
			 Mental health difficulties 0.5 
			 An unseen disability, e.g. diabetes, epilepsy, asthma 1.2 
			 Multiple disabilities 0.7 
			 Autistic Spectrum Disorder 0.1 
			 A specific learning difficulty e.g. dyslexia 3.8 
			 A disability not listed above 0.9 
			 Total known 100.0 
			 (1) Covers enrolments of all domiciles on all levels and modes of study.  Note: Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded to the nearest five.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Higher Education: Finance

Pat McFadden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much he plans to allocate to each of the access and participation funds for higher education set out in footnote 62 on page 60 of the Browne Review of higher education funding.

David Willetts: The; annual grant letter the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) was issued on 20 December. It sets out the council's budget for 2011-12 and our priorities for the use of that funding. We restate in the letter our commitment to the continuance of funding to encourage widening access and participation. However, it is for the council to determine the level of funding to particular streams such as these. The Government's response to Lord Browne's recommendations on an Access and Success fund will be set out in the Higher Education White Paper.

Higher Education: Finance

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made an assessment of the effects of his proposals to reduce the teaching grant on  (a) the University of Liverpool,  (b) Liverpool John Moores University and  (c) Liverpool Hope University.

David Willetts: Our proposals for reform are a package which involves university funding flowing via the informed choices of students rather than through teaching grant. It will be for each individual institution to respond to the opportunities given by the new arrangements. We see no reason why the institutions in Liverpool should not thrive in the new environment given their existing reputations.

Higher Education: Finance

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department holds information on the funds held in reserve by universities in the Russell Group.

David Willetts: This information is not held by the Department. There is information about the financial health of the higher education sector in Universities UK's annual survey 'Patterns of Higher Education in the UK: 10th Report', published in
	September 2010. A copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Innovation: Greater London

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what  (a) crtieria and  (b) timescale he has set for assessing the effects of the proposed East End of London HighTech Hub in terms of (i) jobs created, (ii) level of exports and (iii) other factors.

Mark Prisk: So far as I am aware, no such criteria nor time scale have yet been set.

Institute for Fiscal Studies

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2010,  Official Report, column 644W, on the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), which contracts his Department had with the IFS between 2005-06 and 2010-11; what the monetary value was of each such contract; and what tender process was undertaken in each case.

Edward Davey: Between 2005-06 and 2010-11 the Department, and its predecessors, had the following contracts with the Institute of Fiscal Studies:
	
		
			  Contract purpose  Procurement method  Value (£) 
			 To calculate the value of school teachers' pensions Framework agreement 26,905 
			 Analysis of firm structures and outsourcing in the UK Competitive tender 21,044 
			 Analysis of patterns of business locations in the UK Competitive tender 23,106 
			 New matched data reporting on the employment and earnings outcomes of training Competitive tender 105,221 
			 Analysing Business-University Innovation linkages Competitive tender 8,820 
			 Research on taxes, benefits and the national minimum wage Competitive tender 20,875 
			 Investigating the impact of the national minimum wage on the labour market behaviour of young workers Competitive tender 20,450 
			 Research contract initiated by former DCSF on behalf of former DIUS (no further details available and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost) Competitive tender 11,698 
			 Various training courses between 2005/6 and 2010/11 Single tender 13,381 
			 Purchase of three publications Single tender 105 
			 Membership fee n/a 35 
			 Total  (1)251,640 
			 (1) All figures are inclusive of VAT  Note: The original contract values were, in some cases, slightly higher than the final amounts paid.

Lloyds TSB: Halifax Bank of Scotland

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2010,  Official Report, column 1049, on Lloyds Banking Group shareholders, whether the terms of reference of the Independent Commission on Banking include consideration of the position of shareholders of Lloyds Banking Group; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: The Terms of Reference of the Independent Commission on Banking were published at the time of its creation on 16 June 2010. The Terms of Reference are available to view on the Commission's website. The Commission is independent and will report to the Cabinet Committee on Banking.

Local Enterprise Partnership Projects

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to take to facilitate and support shared local enterprise partnership projects between regions.

Mark Prisk: In the White Paper on Local Growth we encourage co-operation between partnerships where this would result in a more efficient use of resources and secure a better outcome than operating in isolation. This co-operation need not be restricted to neighbouring partnerships and will be particularly important where partnerships share a common interest. We will not be prescriptive how this co-operation is achieved; local enterprise partnerships are not Government bodies and are being developed from the bottom up.

Local Enterprise Partnerships

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the likely number of approved local enterprise partnerships that will be in place by April 2011.

Mark Prisk: To date 27 local enterprise partnerships have met the Government's expectations and have been asked to put their governance arrangements in place. Other partnerships continue to develop their proposals so they can be in a similar position. We will continue to engage with prospective partnerships at a speed that is appropriate for them.

Local Enterprise Partnerships

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what mechanisms are in place to monitor the implementation of local enterprise partnerships;
	(2)  what mechanism is in place to monitor the implementation of local enterprise partnerships.

Mark Prisk: The Government are committed to working with each new local enterprise partnership to enable them to establish their roles and functions. Partnerships will differ across the country in both form and functions in order to best meet local circumstances and opportunities. As such there will be no one process for this engagement.

Local Enterprise Partnerships: Tyne and Wear

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2010,  Official Report, column 799W, on the Newcastle Gateshead Local Enterprise Partnership, what he considers to be an appropriate economic geography for the coverage of a local enterprise partnership.

Mark Prisk: As set out in the White Paper on Local Growth, the Government's consideration regarding economic geography are whether the geography proposed represents a reasonable natural economic geography and whether the geography is supported by business and is sufficiently strategic.

Manufacturing Industries

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans his Department has to increase the level of remanufacturing as part of the UK's low carbon economy agenda.

Mark Prisk: Remanufacturing is an important feature of the move to a low carbon economy. Any process which reduces costs, waste and carbon emissions, while meeting demand and serving the economy, is to be welcomed.
	This Department, working with the Department of Energy and Climate Change, is carrying out a review of energy intensive sectors, such as iron and steel and aluminium, which will consider how remanufacturing-and recycling-will play a role in ensuring the future competitiveness of these sectors in the low carbon economy. It is without doubt that there will be a growing global demand for these goods over the course of this century, so the challenge for Governments is to find a way to meet this demand whilst also ensuring carbon emissions are reduced to acceptable levels.

Mortgage Express and Bradford and Bingley: Complaints

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many complaints his Department received on  (a) Mortgage Express and  (b) Bradford and Bingley in the latest period in which figures are available.

Edward Davey: None. Regulating the financial services sector is a matter for HM Treasury.

New Local Enterprise Partnerships

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the recommendations of the First Report from the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, Session 2010-11, HC 434, on the new local enterprise partnerships: an initial assessment, if he will put in place mechanisms to ensure that assets owned by the regional development agencies which are not of national strategic importance are not sold to developers unless they can demonstrate that their proposed use of the relevant asset will benefit the local economy.

Mark Prisk: Any sale of regional development agency assets will be in accordance with the principles outlined in the Local Growth White Paper (CM7961) paragraphs 2.45-2.47. These include as a primary consideration the aim to achieve the best possible outcome for the region consistent with achieving value for the public purse.

Ofcom: Opinion Leader Research

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department to date of work by Opinion Leader Research as part of Ofcom's review of relay services.

Edward Vaizey: The Opinion Leader research is funded by Ofcom. There is no direct cost to either the Department for Business or the Department for Culture for this work.

Ofcom: Opinion Leader Research

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what consultation with groups representing deaf and hearing-impaired people was undertaken by Opinion Leader Research as part of Ofcom's review of relay services.

Edward Vaizey: Ofcom commissioned Opinion Leader to conduct research among UK adults (aged 16+) who either currently use, or may have a need for, access to relay services. They conducted qualitative research with 94 individuals and 323 people took part in quantitative research. During the design of the research Opinion Leader took some informal advice from organisations with some experience of conducting research with similar groups of individuals.

One North East

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the principal  (a) assets and  (b) liabilities are of One North East; what plans he has for the future of those residual assets and liabilities; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: The principal assets and liabilities of One North East are set out in its report and accounts for 2009-10 (HC125). These will be handled in the accordance with the principles outlined in the Local Growth White Paper (CM7961) paragraphs 2.45-2.47.

Overseas Trade: Commonwealth

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to promote trade and investment opportunities between the UK and other Commonwealth countries.

Mark Prisk: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) are the Government's lead trade and investment promotion organisation and is present in 96 markets around the world. Working with other Departments, UKTI's strategy is to focus its resources in the markets where there is greatest demand from business for UKTI services, reflecting actual and potential opportunities in these markets.
	UKTI recognises that many Commonwealth countries represent key markets for the UK and its teams are working to encourage more UK companies to do business in and with them. Dealings with Commonwealth countries reflect the diversity of UKTI's overseas market coverage, including:
	The development of business opportunities in high growth markets such as Singapore and India. The Prime Minister, for example, led a major visit to India, including a business delegation, earlier this year.
	Maintaining and developing business links with the UK's major developed markets, such as Canada and Australia.
	Maximising the benefits from British cultural links in developing opportunities in the Caribbean and Africa.
	UKTI also works where appropriate with Commonwealth institutions, particularly the Commonwealth Business Council, on maximising the business benefit from high profile events where these are in line with UKTI's strategic priorities. Examples of such activities include the Commonwealth games; the business elements of visits to the UK by Commonwealth Heads of State from high growth markets; and business events in the margins of Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings (e.g. in November 2009, UKTI's team in Trinidad and Tobago hosted the Commonwealth Business Forum-UKTI Business Breakfast, in the margins of the CHG meeting).

Regional Development Agencies

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what his Department's budget is for regional development agencies in 2010-11;
	(2)  by what date he expects all of the operations of regional development agencies have been wound up;
	(3)  what budget has been allocated to each regional development agency for each year until its operations are wound up.

Mark Prisk: In 2010-11 the Regional Development Agencies' (RDA) single budget is £1.4 billion, net of receipts, of which £434 million is provided by this Department.
	Indicative allocations for 2011-12 from the single budget have been provided to the RDAs as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 Advantage West Midlands 97.5 
			 East of England Development Agency 24.4 
			 East Midlands Development Agency 41.7 
			 North West Development Agency 108.3 
			 ONE North East 61.0 
			 South East England Development Agency 37.5 
			 South West of England Regional Development Agency 42.6 
			 Yorkshire Forward 102.6 
			  Note: These figures exclude notional budgets to cover non-cash costs such as depreciation. 
		
	
	An indicative allocation for the London Development Agency will be communicated to them in due course. Final allocations to all RDAs are expected to be issued in March 2011. Additional funds are being held centrally to cover transition and closure costs.
	Subject to the passage of the Public Bodies Bill, the Regional Development Agencies outside London are expected to close by 31 March 2012. No allocations are being made to them after that date. It is expected that legal commitments remaining at the time of closure will transfer to successor bodies and that resources to enable project completion will be provided from the spending review settlement.

Regional Development Agencies: Finance

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what mechanism is in place for the transfer of EU funding from regional development agencies to local enterprise partnerships.

Mark Prisk: Regional development agencies (RDAs) will continue to manage the European regional development funds (ERDF) until new arrangements are in place. New arrangements will be announced next March. The programmes remain open with projects continuing to be appraised and approved. Going forward, we expect that local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) will be beneficiaries of EU funds.
	Delivery of funding through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) will transfer from RDAs to DEFRA. DEFRA will engage with LEPs with a rural interest on future arrangements for the programme.
	RDAs do not have delivery responsibilities for other EU funds.

Regional Development Agency

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will publish a transition plan for each regional development agency.

Mark Prisk: The transition plans, which are still being developed, are owned by individual regional development agencies (RDA). RDAs have significant assets and liabilities, and the plans for their disposal will be commercially sensitive. The plans will also contain details of how staffing numbers are proposed to be reduced in the run up to closure, anticipated in March 2012. I do not therefore believe publication will be possible though the RDAs will continue to adhere to the normal transparency requirements.

Regional Growth Fund

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what mechanism will be used to target the Regional Growth Fund on areas worst hit by the recession.

Mark Prisk: The Regional Growth Fund is a challenge fund that is open to bids from the private sector, or public private partnership from any part of England. Bids will be expected to demonstrate how they meet the Fund's two published objectives:
	stimulate enterprise by providing support for projects and programmes with significant potential for economic growth and create additional sustainable private sector employment; and
	support in particular those areas and communities that are currently dependent on the public sector make the transition to sustainable private sector-led growth and prosperity.
	To help applicants, BIS has produced guidance that details the criteria that bids will be assessed against to meet the two objectives.
	BIS has also published an outline of the Fund's appraisal process, part of which includes an assessment by an independent Advisory Panel chaired by my noble Friend Lord Heseltine. All of these are available on the Regional Growth Fund web page:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/regional-economic-development/regional-growth-fund
	At all stages in the appraisal and approval process, the only criteria applications will be judged against are those that are published. A ministerial decision-making panel will consider bids recommended by the advisory panel, and will take into account in their decision, the extent to which different areas are reliant on public sector employment by looking at a range of evidence, including official statistics, evidence supplied in bids and the work of the DWP labour market group.

Royal Mail

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on what dates  (a) he,  (b) other Ministers in his Department and  (c) departmental officials have met representatives of Royal Mail Group on the future of Royal Mail since 1 October 2010.

Edward Davey: BIS Ministers have held several meeting with representatives of Royal Mail to discuss the future of the company since the 1 October 2010. The meetings I have had are as follows:
	7 October with Moya Greene;
	2 November with Moya Greene;
	29 November with Donald Brydon and Moya Greene;
	9 December with Donald Brydon and Moya Greene.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State had one meeting as follows:
	8 December with Moya Greene.
	Departmental officials meet with representatives of Royal Mail on a regular basis.

Royal Mail: Privatisation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of the mechanisms necessary to facilitate the privatisation of Royal Mail.

Edward Davey: A decision on the form of process for a future disposal of Royal Mail shares has yet to be made so there is no overall estimate for the costs involved.
	The Government believe that it is entirely appropriate to take expert commercial advice on a major transaction to ensure that the taxpayer receives value for money. We fully expect the overall costs to be consistent with or lower than the usual for a similar transaction.

Science: Research

Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to assist science and technology research institutions in contributing to economic growth.

David Willetts: HEFCE and the Research Councils will work together so that rewards and incentives to bring universities and business closer together are delivered coherently:
	Research Councils encourage researchers to consider potential beneficiaries and the future impact of their research from inception.
	HEFCE and Research Councils support current collaborations between research and business and reward high performance.
	The Research Excellence Framework will recognise the impact of excellent research undertaken in universities in the past.
	Full details of funding for these initiatives for 2011-15 can be found in the document "The Allocation of Science and Research Funding" published on the BIS website today.

Science: Research

Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the future of science research and expertise in England.

David Willetts: Both my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and the Minister of State for Schools. The importance of science education in schools and universities has been discussed by us in the context of the National Curriculum Review and the Schools White Paper.

Sheffield Forgemasters: Finance

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2010,  Official Report, columns 689-90W, on nuclear power stations: construction, what assessment he has made of the effects on  (a) the supply chain and  (b) the economy of the decision not to proceed with a loan to Sheffield Forgemasters; and if he will re-open discussions with Sheffield Forgemasters with the aim of enabling them to finance the purchase of a 15,000 tonne press for use in the supply chain for new nuclear facilities.

Mark Prisk: No direct assessment was made on the effects of the supply chain but we are aware of the interest from parts of the industry regarding the withdrawal of this conditional loan.
	As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business stated in his written ministerial statement to the House on the 27 July this year,  Official Report, column 79WS:
	"The Government's decision to cancel the £80 million loan for a new 15,000 tonne press that had been conditionally offered to Sheffield Forgemasters by the last Government was taken on the grounds of affordability. Sheffield Forgemasters is a great British company with a dedicated, highly-skilled work force and a strong senior management team. The Government's decision is no reflection on the company's staff, directors or this particular project".
	He also made clear in his evidence to the Committee, that Sheffield Forgemasters would be welcome to put in an application for support under the Regional Growth Fund.

Students: Fees and Charges

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has carried out an equality impact assessment of the likely effects of changes to the level of tuition fees on students from a low socio-economic background.

David Willetts: The Department has published an interim equality impact assessment which considered the likely effects of the proposed HE funding and student finance reform package on students from a low socio-economic background.
	The interim equality impact assessment is available at:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/higher-education/docs/i/10-1310-interim-equality-impact-assessment-he-funding-and-student-finance.pdf

Students: Loans

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many loan applications the Student Loans Company has not yet processed; how many such applications were received prior to 31 July 2010; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: By 14 October 2010, the latest date for which official figures are available, the Student Loans Company (SLC) had received a total of 715,000 applications for financial support from new and continuing students in England for the academic year 2010/11. Of these, 26,000 applications had been cancelled or deemed ineligible and 606,000 had been prepared for payment. In 72,000 cases the SLC was awaiting further evidence or a signed loan acceptance form from the applicant in order to progress the application. 11,000 applications had not yet been processed and were with the SLC for assessment.
	Of the 83,000 live applications not yet prepared for payment at 14 October, 41,000 were received before 31 July 2010. Data are not immediately available to show how many of those applications were awaiting further information from the applicant and how many were with the SLC for assessment. The SLC publicised the deadlines for applications for student financial support, the last of which was at the end of June 2010, through radio and press campaigns, as well as through the NUS, UCAS and online. By the start of term, SLC had paid 99.3% of all eligible applications received before the relevant deadlines with the right documentation.

Universities: Applications

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people resident in Birmingham, Erdington constituency  (a) applied to attend university in the academic year 2010-11 and  (b) were successful in their applications; and what proportion of each were from disadvantaged backgrounds.

David Willetts: The information is in the following table and is provided by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and therefore mostly covers full-time undergraduate study.
	Applicants who were not accepted for entry can include: individuals who did not receive 'any' offer; individuals who received an offer (conditional or unconditional) but decided not to go to university; individuals who received a 'conditional' offer and failed to meet the specific conditions (e.g. they did not achieve certain grades); and individuals who decided to withdraw from the UCAS system.
	
		
			  Applicants and accepted applicants from Birmingham, Erdington constituency to full-time undergraduate courses in UK institutions via UCAS by area background, 2010/11 
			  Area background  Applicants  Percentage of total  Accepted applicants  Percentage of total 
			 Disadvantaged(1) 614 71 402 71 
			 Other 249 29 167 29 
			 Grand total 863 100 569 100 
			 (1) For the purposes of their funding allocations, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) treat entrants from the most disadvantaged 40% of neighbourhoods as 'disadvantaged', available at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/widen/fund/ HEFCE uses two different groupings of areas to define disadvantage which are based on the historic levels of participation or qualification in higher education by the local population: one based on the participation rates of young (19 and under) people in HE (which is used by HEFCE when looking at young full-time entrants); and one based on the proportion of adults in the area who hold HE qualifications (which is used by HEFCE when looking at part-time and mature full-time entrants). Because this table includes applicants and accepted applicants of all ages, disadvantage is defined by the HE qualified adults measure.  Source: UCAS provisional end of year data (represents applicants and accepted applicants at 13 October 2010; end of year data will be available from 20 January 2011).

Welsh Language

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when his Department last published a Welsh language scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993; and at which web addresses such schemes can be accessed in  (a) Welsh and  (b) English.

Edward Davey: The BIS Welsh Language Scheme was last published in May 2009. The web address for both the Welsh and English versions is:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/site/welsh

Working Time Directive

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what provisions are in place to ensure observance by employers of the requirements of the Working Time Directive.

Edward Davey: Enforcement of entitlements under the Working Time Regulations is split between different authorities. For example, the working time limits and health assessment requirements (for night workers) are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in industrial premises, schools and hospitals. The entitlements to rest and leave are enforced through employment tribunals.

Working Time Directive

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what requirements there are on employers to maintain a register of employees who opt out of the provisions of the Working Time Directive.

Edward Davey: Regulation 4(2) of the Working Time Regulations requires an employer to keep up-to-date records of all workers who have signed an opt-out agreement to work beyond the 48 hour average weekly limit.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

BBC: Trade Unions

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the voting patterns of BBC employees; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport has undertaken no assessment.

Churches: Repairs and Maintenance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport in respect of how many eligible places of worship grants have been made under the listed places of worship grant scheme in the latest period for which figures are available; and what the average amount of each grant was in the latest period for which figures are available.

John Penrose: The listed places of worship grant scheme makes payments equivalent to the VAT incurred in making repairs to listed buildings primarily in use for public worship. In the 2009-10 financial year, 3,745 claims were paid UK-wide, with a total value of £14,963,412.67, giving an average grant of £3,996.

Cultural Institutions: Finance

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what mechanism the Government plans to put in place to enable cultural institutions to generate more funding from private sources.

Edward Vaizey: We have announced a 10 point action plan to boost philanthropy in the cultural sector. The action plan comprises:
	1. An £80 million match funding scheme, with the potential to raise more than £160 million through a series of grants. This will provide a range of support for smaller organisations, those outside London, and larger bodies, including those who want to develop endowments.
	2. The Government reviewing what they can do to encourage philanthropy, reporting back in the spring.
	3. More visible public recognition for philanthropy, thanking donors, demonstrating the value of philanthropy and encouraging others to give.
	4. Developing fundraising skills and capacity across the culture sector-to increase and share skills and capacity, promote best practice, professionalise fundraising and develop a culture of 'asking' as well as 'giving'.
	5. Promoting and increasing planned giving, including legacy giving.
	6. Supporting the long-term development of endowments.
	7. Harnessing digital technology to boost philanthropy.
	8. Increasing giving from international donors.
	9. Encouraging more investment by the business sector.
	10. Strengthening links between culture and other sectors which are supported through philanthropy.

Departmental Pay

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many staff employed by his Department were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available.

John Penrose: No staff employed by the Department have been paid at a rate which is equivalent or below the London living wage in the last financial year.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent estimate he has made of the effect of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax on his Department's annual expenditure.

John Penrose: The departmental spending review settlements are set on a tax-inclusive basis, including the increase to the standard rate of VAT. Budget managers within the Department are aware of the upcoming change and this has been factored into their budget planning.

Freeview Service

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of the UK's  (a) territory and  (b) population do not receive the full range of public service channels available via Freeview digital terrestrial services; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: After switchover 98.5% of households will be able to receive around 15 Freeview channels including all the public service broadcasting channels. In addition about 90% of households who get their signal from a main transmitter will receive services from all six multiplexes.

Horniman Museum

Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which alternative bodies are being considered as potential sponsors for the Horniman Museum and Gardens for the period after 2014-15; when he expects the process of identifying sponsors to be concluded; and what arrangements will be put in place should no such sponsor be identified.

Edward Vaizey: The Department has considered a number of potential sponsors and will make a statement once a new sponsor has been confirmed. The Department hopes to conclude this process by April 2011. In the unlikely event that no new sponsorship arrangements can be found for the Horniman Museum, the Department will consider the needs of the museum along with its other sponsored bodies in the next spending review period.

Museums, Libraries and Archives Council

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has for the future of the Museum Accreditation Scheme following the abolition of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

Edward Vaizey: On 9 December Arts Council England announced that it was to take over a number of the functions relating to museums and libraries, including the museum accreditation scheme, following the abolition of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

Museums: Closures

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many public sector museums in  (a) the West Midlands and  (b) England closed in each year since 2003.

Edward Vaizey: Since the start of the Museums, Libraries and Council Renaissance programme in 2002, none of the regional hub museum services have closed. Information on closures of independent, local authority or charitably funded museums is not held centrally.

Museums: Finance

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what resources his Department made available to Arts Council England for museums development work in the last 12 months; what the scope of that work was; and whether its was additional to grants awarded under the Renaissance programme.

Edward Vaizey: This Department made no resources available to Arts Council England for museums development work in the last 12 months.

Museums: Finance

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what funding his Department expects to make available under the Renaissance programme to hub museums in 2011-12; by what mechanism such funding will be distributed; and when he expects to announce his decision on the selection of hub museums from 2012-13.

Edward Vaizey: The Renaissance programme has been allocated £45.6 million in 2011-12 and responsibility for the programme will transfer to Arts Council England (ACE) during 2011-12. We have asked ACE and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council to work together on detailed plans for the future of the Renaissance programme and we expect an announcement in due course.

Olympic Games 2012: Football

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the oral answer from the Prime Minister to the right hon. Member for Tottenham of 15 December 2010,  Official Report, column 905, what his policy is on the principle of a professional football club using the Olympic Stadium in London after 2012.

Hugh Robertson: Our main priority is to ensure a long-term, sustainable legacy for the Olympic Stadium. The Olympic Park Legacy Company is leading on determining the legacy use of the stadium and is currently negotiating with the two short-listed consortiums bidding to use the Stadium after the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Olympic Games 2012: Human Trafficking

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what organisations he has consulted to assist him to assess the risks of people trafficking associated with the London 2012 Olympics; and whether he plans to take specific steps to reduce that risk.  [Official Report, 11 January 2011, Vol. 521, c. 3-4MC.]

Hugh Robertson: Regular threat briefings take place between the Secretary of State, the Minister for Sport and the Olympics and the Olympic Intelligence Centre, a dedicated body within the Metropolitan Police that gathers information from the security services and regional police forces about potential threats to the games. As part of this the Department have been informed that we are not currently seeing any evidence of an increase in human trafficking related to the London 2012 games.
	However, we remain vigilant and will be continuously reviewing the threat of human trafficking. The Government are determined to deter traffickers from exploiting London 2012 and we are building on the considerable expertise the UK has in tackling this issue. Should the intelligence indicate an increase in trafficking we shall ensure that the appropriate measures are in place.

Public Libraries: Finance

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has for the future of the Future Libraries Programme and its current partnerships with  (a) his Department and  (b) the Local Government Association to support the development of local government cultural services following the abolition of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

Edward Vaizey: On 9 December 2010 Arts Council England announced that it was to take over a number of the functions relating to museums and libraries following the abolition of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. This will include aspects of the Future Libraries programme and other support for local government cultural services.

Taekwondo

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what role  (a) Sport England and  (b) the British Taekwondo Control Board have in regulating Taekwondo; what recent discussions he has had with the British Taekwondo Control Board on its remit; what recent representations he has received from (i) practitioners of the sport and (ii) others on the British Taekwondo Control Board; and what response he has made to such representations.

Hugh Robertson: Governing bodies of sports are self-regulating membership organisations; therefore Sport England does not act as a regulator of Taekwondo. Between them, though, Sport England and UK Sport do work with Sport Taekwondo UK Ltd (which is the body in receipt of their awards) to ensure that the public money going into the sport is being spent appropriately.
	The British Taekwondo Control Board (BTCB) is the governing body recognised by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) for WTF Taekwondo (including the Olympic discipline) in the United Kingdom.
	I have had no recent discussions with the BTCB and the Department has received no direct representations from either practitioners of the sport or others on the BTCB.

CABINET OFFICE

Deaths: Winter

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 1 December 2010,  Official Report, column 881W, on deaths: winter, what assessment he has made of the likely effectiveness of  (a) winter resilience measures and  (b) steps to prevent excess winter deaths since his most recent discussions with his Ministerial colleagues.

Francis Maude: Going into the winter, the UK was better prepared than at the same time last year following implementation of the key recommendations of David Quarmby's review of winter resilience. Since then, we have seen the coldest November across the UK since 1993, with the most significant snowfalls in parts of the country since 1965. As of 9 December, over £196 million is estimated to have been paid out in cold weather payments to the poorest households, and 12.9 million pensioners have received Winter Fuel Payments to help them heat their homes. The Department of Health has also launched its annual Keep Warm Keep Well Campaign for 2010-11.
	Ministers have met to review preparedness for further severe weather and the Secretary of State for Transport asked David Quarmby on 1 December to conduct an urgent audit of transport operators' performance following the heavy snow in November, their progress in implementing the recommendations from his review published in October and to recommend any further steps that need to be taken to further enhance our resilience. The Government will respond promptly to his recommendations which are expected before Christmas.

Departmental Press: Subscriptions

Robert Halfon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department spent on press cuttings services in each year since 1997.

Francis Maude: The information requested is available only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Hywel Williams: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent estimate he has made of the effect of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax on his Department's annual expenditure.

Francis Maude: The estimated annual increase in expenditure as a direct result of the increase in the standard rate is £700,000, which is expected to be fully offset by cost reductions arising from improvements in efficiency and effectiveness.

Government Departments: Telephone Services

Mary Macleod: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he has plans to bring forward proposals to prevent the use of 0870 and 0845 telephone numbers by central government departments.

Francis Maude: Decisions regarding the most appropriate choice of number for public sector organisations lie with these organisations. In May 2009 the Cabinet Office Contact Council published a guide to number ranges for public sector organisations and updated this guide in February 2010. This guide includes a recommendation that Government Departments should consider the cost of accessing the service to make sure that citizens on low income can afford to make contact.

Internet: Data Protection

Ian Lucas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will take steps to increase the level of  (a) public awareness of the information collected by internet search engines and  (b) the laws which apply to the use of such information.

Edward Vaizey: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government are currently implementing the various requirements of the revised European Framework on Telecommunications, which are expected to be completed by June 2011. Enhanced user privacy is a key element of the new measures and will enable users to exercise more control over their personal data. Additionally, rules concerning privacy and data protection will be strengthened ensuring that internet users are better informed about applications such as "cookies" and similar devices, as well as what happens to and the use made of, their personal data. The general principle of the law not differentiating between an illegal act committed online and an illegal act committed offline, applies in all cases. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) oversees the requirements and protections in relation to data through the Data Protection Act 1998.

Public Bodies: Telephone Services

Alun Cairns: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will take steps to prevent public bodies using 0870 and 0845 numbers; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: Decisions regarding the most appropriate choice of number for public sector organisations lie with these organisations. In May 2009 the Cabinet Office Contact Council published a guide to number ranges for public sector organisations and updated this guide in February 2010. This guide includes a recommendation that Government Departments should consider the cost of accessing the service to make sure that citizens on low income can afford to make contact.

Voluntary Work: Young People

Stella Creasy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many places he expects to be available on the National Citizenship Pilot schemes in 2011 to young people aged 16 years in each constituency.

Nick Hurd: While it is not possible to say with certainty how many National Citizen Service pilot places will be available in each constituency, owing to the geographical coverage of each pilot and the likelihood that local schemes may recruit young people from more than one constituency, I am placing in the Libraries of both Houses a list of the numbers planned in each geographical location. I have also written to the hon. Member with this information.

Voting Rights: Prisoners

Robert Buckland: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the oral answer of 23 November 2010,  Official Report, column 153, on prisoners (voting rights), if he will assess the merits of bringing forward proposals to restrict voting rights for prisoners to those limited to serving custodial sentences for summary offences determined by magistrates courts.

Mark Harper: The Government announced today by written ministerial statement how it intends to implement the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in relation to prisoner voting rights.

Welsh Language

Hywel Williams: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when his Department last published a Welsh language scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993; and at which web addresses such schemes can be accessed in  (a) Welsh and  (b) English.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office Welsh Language Scheme is being developed and is due for publication in the new year.

EDUCATION

International League Tables

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of the performance of school in England against international comparators.

Nick Gibb: The OECD PISA report underlines the urgent need to reform our schools system. We need to learn from the best-performing countries which have succeeded in raising attainment for all pupils and making opportunity more equal-countries which recruit the best teachers, give greater autonomy to the front line, and make schools more accountable to their communities. It is only through such whole-system reform that we can make our nation one of the world's top performers.

Commercialisation of Childhood

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to address the commercialisation and premature sexualisation of childhood.

Sarah Teather: Parents express real concern about children being pressured into growing up too quickly, to become consumers or sexualised adults earlier than is appropriate. The Government have therefore made a commitment to take action to protect children from excessive commercialisation and premature sexualisation. I have asked Mr Reg Bailey, chief executive of the Mothers' Union, to conduct an independent review of the issue and to make a full report with recommendations in May 2011.

School Sports Funding

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent representations he has received on school sports funding; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Gove: I have received a range of representations about funding for school sport. These include: representations from Members through parliamentary questions and correspondence; letters from members of the public and interested parties; and a petition from young ambassadors of sport. There have also been representations through debates in the House on the subject.

School Sports Funding

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions he had with Baroness Campbell and the Youth Sports Trust during his review of school sports policy.

Michael Gove: Baroness Campbell and the Youth Sport Trust have been involved closely in developing our proposals to create an Olympic and Paralympic style school sport competition. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is leading this work and has held regular meetings with a range of interested bodies, including the Youth Sport Trust. Ministers and officials from this Department attend those meetings. The Secretary of State and I have both met Baroness Campbell in the course of developing our proposals.

Pupil Premium

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of funding for the pupil premium will come from his Department's planned budgetary provision for schools for 2011-12.

Sarah Teather: We are protecting school funding in the system at flat cash per pupil, before adding the pupil premium. School funding will rise by £3.6 billion by 2014-15; £2.5 billion of this is for the pupil premium; £1.1 billion is to cover rises in pupil numbers. The pupil premium is completely additional to the underlying settlement of flat cash per pupil.

Academies

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many academies which opened before 11 October have made arrangements under the procedure set out in the Academies Act 2010 to support an under-performing school in their area.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 28 October 2010
	 All outstanding schools that have converted to become an academy were required to commit to support a weaker school, as part of the application process. For some schools this has involved establishing a new relationship with another school and for others maintaining and improving existing links with schools they have been working with for some time.

Bromley College

Jo Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will assess the value for money of the proposed merger between Bromley College and Orpington College.

John Hayes: holding answer 16 December 2010
	I have been asked to reply.
	In the event that the Secretary of State receives a formal proposal to merge from Bromley college and Orpington college it will be assessed against the published criteria for such proposals which include the criterion that the proposal is likely to provide better value for money.

Care Homes: Standards

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 26 July 2010,  Official Report, column 810W, on care homes: standards, for what reasons publication of the national minimum standards for children's homes did not occur in November 2010; and what the reasons are for the time taken in publication.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 9 December 2010
	A post consultation version of the National Minimum Standards for children's homes was published on the Department's website on 1 November 2010. It is available at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action =conResults&external=no&consultationId=1662&menu=3
	This version is the near final one. It was not possible to publish an absolutely final version as some minor changes may be necessary in consequence of the revision of the children's homes regulations and statutory guidance. Consultation on the regulations and guidance closed on 19 November 2010. The responses are now being analysed with a view to publishing new revised regulations and guidance, along with the final version of the NMS, early in 2011.

Children Act 1989

Therese Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he is reviewing the adequacy of the  (a) provisions of the Children Act 1989 in respect of the forced removal of children and  (b) other provisions of that Act.

Tim Loughton: Legislation relating to children and young people is reviewed as appropriate in the context of relevant policy development. We do not however believe there is a need to review the specific provisions in the Children Act 1989 with regard to the taking of children into care against their parents' wishes. The law is clear that children should live with their parents wherever possible. However, action must be taken if a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm. Where a child is taken into care on a care order the court is required to treat the welfare of the child as its paramount consideration.

Departmental Manpower

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many members of staff are employed in the ministerial correspondence unit of his Department.

Tim Loughton: The Department employs 14.7 full-time equivalent staff who are responsible for ministerial correspondence.

Departmental Manpower

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many officials have  (a) joined and  (b) left the private office of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families since May 2010; on what dates; for what reasons; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 6 December 2010
	There have been no changes to my private office staff since May 2010.

Departmental Press: Subscriptions

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education to which local newspapers his Department had a subscription between June 2007 and May 2010; on what date each such subscription started; and what the cost to the public purse was of such subscriptions.

Tim Loughton: The Department and its predecessor had no subscriptions with local newspapers during the period in question.

Departmental Written Questions

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of questions tabled to the Secretary of State and his predecessor for written answer on a named day were answered substantively before or on the day named for answer  (a) in Session 2009-10 and  (b) since May 2010; how many such questions tabled between May 2010 and 12 November 2010 had not received a substantive answer by 18 November 2010; and what estimate he has made of the average cost to his Department of answering a named day question on the day named for answer in the latest period for which figures are available.

Tim Loughton: The Government have committed to providing the Procedure Committee with sessional statistics in a standard format on the time taken to respond to written parliamentary questions for the 2009-10 Session. During the parliamentary Session 2009-10 the Department received 368 named day PQs. This information will be submitted to the Procedure Committee shortly.
	Since May 2010 the Department has received 430 named day parliamentary questions, out of which 70 (16%) were answered on the specified named day.
	The Department received 373 named day parliamentary questions between May 2010 and 12 November 2010, out of which 346 (93%) were answered by 18 November 2010.
	The estimated cost to the Department in answering a written parliamentary questions is £154 per written question.

Departmental Written Questions

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of questions tabled to the Secretary of State and his predecessor for ordinary written answer  (a) in Session 2009-10 and  (b) since May 2010 were answered within (i) seven days and (ii) 14 days of tabling; how many such questions tabled between May 2010 and 12 November 2010 remained unanswered by 18 November 2010; and what estimate he has made of the average cost to his Department of answering a question for ordinary written answer within seven days of tabling in the latest period for which figures are available.

Tim Loughton: The Government have committed to providing the Procedure Committee with sessional statistics in a standard format on the time taken to respond to written parliamentary questions for the 2009-10 session. This information will be submitted to the Procedure Committee shortly.
	The Department received 1,298 ordinary written parliamentary questions between May 2010 and 12 November 2010, out of which 362 (28%) were answered within 10 days (the Department only collects management information on parliamentary questions answered within five and 10 days). A total of 42 (less then 1%) remained unanswered by 18 November 2010.
	The estimated cost to the Department in answering a written parliamentary question is £154 per written question.

Departmental Written Questions

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many written questions tabled for answer on a named day received a  (a) holding reply and  (b) substantive response on the day they were due for answer from each Minister in his Department since 11 May 2010.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 9 December 2010
	The information requested is in the following table:
	
		
			  Minister  Substantive responses issued on the due day  Holding replies issued on the due day  Total 
			 Nick Gibb 25 298 323 
			 Sarah Teather 8 49 57 
			 Tim Loughton 14 49 63 
			 Total 47 396 443

Education Maintenance Allowance

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education on what date his Department's contract with Capita to deliver the education maintenance allowance will expire; and how much his Department will pay to Capita for the remainder of the contract.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 7 December 2010
	This is a matter for the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) who operate the education maintenance allowance for the Department for Education. Peter Lauener the YPLA's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Scunthorpe with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many young people have received education maintenance allowance payments in  (a) Blackpool and  (b) England since the creation of the scheme.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 9 December 2010
	This is a matter for the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) who operate the education maintenance allowance for the Department for Education. Peter Lauener, the YPLA's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member for Blackpool South with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Libraries.
	 Letter from Peter Lauener, dated 9 December 2010:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question PQ29868 that asked;
	"How many young people have received education maintenance allowance payments in (a) Blackpool and (b) England since the creation of the scheme."
	EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year.
	
		
			  Academic year  Take-up in Blackpool  Take-up in England 
			 2004/05 704 297,568 
			 2005/06 1,318 430,327 
			 2006/07 1,827 526,808 
			 2007/08 2,022 547,235 
			 2008/09 2,022 576,144 
			 2009/10 2,374 644,497 
			 2010/11 2,167 (1)586,221 
			 (1 )As of 30 November 2010. 
		
	
	In comparing across years, it is important to understand that national roll-out was phased over several years. In the first year EMA was available to all 16-year-olds across England and to 17 and 18-year-olds in former pilot areas. In 2005/06 EMA was available to all 16 and 17-year-olds nationally. From 2006/07 EMA was available to all 16, 17 and 18-year-olds nationally.
	EMA take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08 2008/09 and 2009/10 is available on the YPLA website, at the following address:
	http://ema.ypla.gov.uk/resources/research/takeup/

Education Maintenance Allowance: Brighton

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students normally resident in Brighton Pavilion constituency receive education maintenance allowance; and what estimate he has made of the number who will receive an allowance following the implementation of proposals in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Nick Gibb: This is a matter for the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) who operate the education maintenance allowance for the Department for Education. Peter Lauener, the YPLA's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Libraries.
	 Letter from Peter Lauener, dated 8 December 2010:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question PQ28758 that asked:
	"How many students normally resident in Brighton Pavilion constituency receive education maintenance allowance; and what estimate he has made of the number who will receive the allowance following the implementation of proposals in the Comprehensive Spending Review."
	Information on the number of young people who have received EMA is available at Local Authority level, but not at constituency level. EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year.
	As at 30th November 2010, the number of young people in Brighton and Hove local authority area who had received one or more EMA payments during the 2010/11 academic year was 2,604.
	From 2011/12, Education Maintenance Allowances will be replaced by an enhanced learner support fund that will be administered by schools and colleges themselves, targeting those young people who face a real financial barrier to participation. The number of young people who benefit from these new arrangements will reflect local decisions so it is not possible to judge how many will receive financial support in future.
	EMA take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 is available on the YPLA website, at the following address:
	http://ema.ypla.gov.uk/resources/research/takeup/.

Education Maintenance Allowance: Bristol

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many young people were in receipt of education maintenance allowance in  (a) Bristol East constituency and  (b) Bristol in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: This is a matter for the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) who operate the education maintenance allowance for the Department for Education. Peter Lauener the YPLA's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member for Bristol East with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Libraries.
	 Letter from Peter Lauener, dated 8 December 2010:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question PQ28230 that asked:
	"How many young people were in receipt of education maintenance allowance in (a) Bristol East constituency and (b) Bristol in each of the last five years."
	Information on the number of young people who have received EMA is available at Local Authority Level, but not at constituency level. EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year.
	EMA take-up for the City of Bristol Local Authority area is:
	
		
			  Academic year  Take-up 
			 2006/07 3,676 
			 2007/08 3,961 
			 2008/09 3,878 
			 2009/10 4,714 
			 2010/11(as at 31 October) 3,835 
		
	
	EMA take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08 2008/09 and 2009/10 is available on the YPLA website, at the following address:
	http://ema.ypla.gov.uk/resources/research/takeup/

Free Schools: Social Services

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will take steps to ensure that new schools established by parents under the free schools programme follow his Department's guidance on the referral of suspected child abuse cases to children's social services.

Nick Gibb: Free schools, like academies, will be required to follow the Department's guidance on the referral of suspected child abuse cases to children's social services.

General Teaching Certificate

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate his Department has made of the number of people who gained a General Teaching Certificate in 2009 and who are still seeking teaching jobs.

Tim Loughton: The latest available number and percentage of newly qualified teachers (NQTs) by their employment status is given in the following tables. The scope of these figures is NQTs who have gained Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) via mainstream initial teacher training courses, and the tables report their employment status six months after gaining QTS.
	
		
			  Newly Qualified Teachers: Employment status six months after gaining QTS 
			  Coverage: England 
			Number of NQTs 
			  2008/09  Teachers gaining QTS-Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs)  In a teaching post  Seeking a teaching post  Not seeking a teaching post  Unclassified  Total 
			  26,650 21,550 1,750 1,160 2,190 26,650 
		
	
	
		
			  Coverage: England 
			Distribution of NQTs  (percentage) 
			  2008/09  Teachers gaining QTS-Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs)  In a teaching post  Seeking a teaching post  Not seeking a teaching post  Unclassified  Total  Proportion of NQTs in a teaching post who sought/are seeking a post 
			  26,650 80.9 6.6 4.4 8.2 100.0 92.5 
			  Notes: 1. Excludes teachers gaining QTS via employment based routes to ITT. 2. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: IDA Performance Profiles

Lone Parents

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will bring forward proposals to tackle parental alienation syndrome by strengthening the shared parenting aspect of the Children Act 2004.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 25 November 2010
	The coalition Government's programme for government makes clear our intention to encourage shared parenting. One of the principles governing the work of the Family Justice Review is that the positive involvement of both parents should be promoted post-separation. The Review Panel will be issuing an interim report in the spring on its proposals for reforming the Family Justice System, ahead of a national consultation. The panel will issue its final report in autumn 2011 and we shall consider at that point how best to respond to its conclusions, including the potential need for changes to legislation to promote shared parenting.

School: Sports

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education on which dates he had discussions with the Secretary of State for  (a) Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport and  (b) Health prior to his announcement that funding for school sport was to be reduced; and what the duration was of each such meeting.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 7 December 2 0 10
	The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for education and, since May, has negotiated a spending review settlement for schools, which sees real-terms growth in school funding at a time when cutting the budget deficit is an urgent national priority, and published the Government's new approach to education in the schools White Paper, "The Importance of Teaching". The Secretary of State has had a number of meetings with the Secretaries of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport and for Health, including at regular cabinet meetings, to discuss these education priorities, which necessarily impact on PE and sport, as on other areas of school life. The Secretary of State has also met the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on a number of further occasions to discuss the coalition Government's commitment to encourage more competitive school sport through the creation of Olympic and Paralympic-style competitions.
	The Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Children and Families also sits on a Department for Culture, Media and Sports committee on the school Olympic and Paralympic style competition with the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which is scheduled to meet weekly.

Schools: Crimes of Violence

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2010,  Official Report, column 107W, on teachers: training, if he will identify and evaluate independent research on the incidence of violence against women and girls in schools undertaken in the last 12 months.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 13 December 2010
	The Department is aware of research into violence against women and girls in schools undertaken in the last 12 months from (a) Womankind Worldwide in England, and (b) the End Violence Against Women Poll conducted by YouGov.
	The Department for Education takes violence against women and girls in schools very seriously and will be tackling the issue in a number of ways, including:
	working with teachers, parents, faith groups and campaign groups to ensure young people receive high quality sex and relationship education;
	conducting an independent review into the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood;
	contributing to the Frank Field review of child poverty and the Graham Allen work on early intervention;
	holding an internal review into personal, social, health and economic education (the most commonly used approach by schools for teaching about violence towards women and girls).

Science and Mathematics: Teachers

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for the future of science and mathematics teaching in schools.

Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to improve the standard of science and mathematics teaching in schools.

Nick Gibb: The Schools White Paper "The Importance of Teaching" recognises the importance the Government attach to science and mathematics education. We will support initiatives to increase the number of specialist science and mathematics teachers and to improve the skills of existing teachers. We will also review the national curriculum to ensure that children gain the knowledge they need in maths and science in order to progress and develop their understanding.

Social Services: Adoption

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether social services have targets in respect of the number of adoption cases processed in each year.

Tim Loughton: I have made it clear that I want to see an increase in the number of children appropriately placed for adoption and in the speed with which decisions are made. I am not in favour of setting targets to achieve this as each adoption case should be assessed on its own merits. However I expect to see improvements in practice and in the sharing of good practice. That is why, at national level, I have set up a ministerial advisory group to provide expert advice on a range of practical proposals to facilitate this.

Young People: Carers

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of young carers in  (a) the South East and  (b) Sevenoaks constituency.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 7 December 2010
	Precise local and national data on the number of young carers are not held centrally. However the 2001 census estimates that there are approximately 139,000 children in England aged 17 or under offering some care to a family member, neighbour or friend.
	Helping to care for a family member is something that many young people are happy and proud to do. These young people do play an absolutely vital role both for their families and society as a whole and they deserve our recognition and support. The Department for Education with the Department of Health is absolutely committed to supporting local services including many voluntary organisations which have been set up to support these young people.
	However in some cases these young people need protection from excessive or inappropriate caring that puts their education and/or health at risk. I attended the Young Carers Festival last summer as I have done for a number of years and have heard directly about their concerns. They told me that services supporting their parents or other family members all too often do not consider their views or identify and respond to their support needs. Even though these might be critical to the care they are providing.
	The Government recently published 'Recognised, valued and supported: next steps for the Carers Strategy'. They recognise that there are a number of 'hidden' young carers and encourage front-line services including schools, GPs, mental health and substance misuse to put in place systems to identify and respond to young carers needs. They also encourage local authorities to consider adopting the 'Working together to support young carers' published jointly by the Association of Directors of Adult and Children's Services which is unambiguous in stating that no care package should rely on a young person taking on inappropriate caring roles.

Youth Services: Disability

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many youth centres that are operated by local authorities provide activities for disabled children and their families in  (a) the West Midlands and  (b) England.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education does not hold this information centrally. However, local authorities are responsible, under the general equality duty contained in the Disability Discrimination Act, to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people, encourage participation by disabled people and take steps to account of disabled people's disabilities in respect of the services that they provide-so in providing such services as youth centres local authorities should be considering the needs of the disabled children that use them.

Youth Sport Trust

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether  (a) he and  (b) Ministers in his Department have had recent meetings with Baroness Campbell of Loughborough to discuss the work of the Youth Sports Trust.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 29 November 2010
	 Baroness Campbell and the Youth Sport Trust have been involved closely, since May 2010, in developing the Government's proposals to encourage more competitive school sport through the creation of Olympic and Paralympic style school sport competitions. This is the focus of the Government's work, as set out in the "Coalition Programme for Government". The Department for Culture, Media, and Sport is leading this work for Government and, since May, has held regular meetings with a range of interested bodies, including the Youth Sport Trust. Ministers and officials from the Department for Education attend those meetings, and so have been able to hear and consider fully the advice of Baroness Campbell and the trust's staff. The Secretary of State and I have both met Baroness Campbell in the course of developing the Government's proposals. Sport England has recently consulted on an interim role for the Youth Sport Trust, working for Sport England to deliver elements of the Government's proposals, funded by the lottery.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Cold Weather Payments

Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what  (a) financial and  (b) other support is available to help people meet their winter heating costs; and whether any additional support is available specifically to incapacity benefit claimants.

Steve Webb: Individuals who have reached women's state pension age, will receive a winter fuel payment to help meet the cost of their winter fuel needs. Households with someone aged up to 79 will receive £250 while those households with someone aged 80 or over receive £400.
	Cold weather payments of £25 a week are paid in periods of very cold weather to those in receipt of pension credit or income related employment and support allowance who receive the support component or the work-related activity component. Recipients of income support, income related employment and support allowance or income-based jobseekers allowance may also be entitled to a cold weather payment if they have a pensioner or disability premium included in their benefit, or they have a child who is either disabled or under the age of five in the family.
	Disabled people can face extra heating costs but, by and large, these needs arise all year round. Benefits such as incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance provide additional weekly payments and are related to the individual's circumstances.
	The Department for Work and Pensions also works closely with other Government Departments on the 'Keep Warm Keep Well' campaign, which is aimed at vulnerable households in England and gives information on the health benefits of keeping warm in winter and details of the grants and benefits available.

Departmental Conferences

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's annual budget for conferences was on  (a) 7 May 2010 and  (b) 7 December 2010.

Chris Grayling: The Department does not allocate a budget for the provision of conferences.
	The Department revised its internal policies and guidance in July 2010 with the clear intention of reducing costs. The use of an external venue for any business meeting, including conferences, should now be exceptional and requires the advance approval of a member of the senior civil service.

Departmental Pay

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff employed by his Department were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: No staff employed by the Department for Work and Pensions in London are paid less than a rate equivalent to the London living wage. Department employs 3,529 staff outside London, who earn less than a rate equivalent to the London living wage.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the effect of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax on his Department's annual expenditure.

Chris Grayling: Departmental Spending Review settlements are set on a tax-inclusive basis, including the increase to the standard rate of VAT.
	Departments can recover VAT that they incur on certain contracted out services.
	The increase in the Departments annual expenditure due to the change in the standard rate of value added tax on non-recoverable VAT has been estimated at £16 million per annum.

Departmental Regulation

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what regulations he plans to  (a) repeal and  (b) amend in the next five years.

Chris Grayling: It is not possible to accurately project which regulations will be removed/amended over the course of the next five years.

Departmental Sponsorship

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what expenditure  (a) his Department and  (b) the non-departmental public bodies incurred on sponsorship in each year since 1997 for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: The information is as follows:
	 (a) Department for Work and Pensions
	The Department's expenditure on sponsorship is captured within the data for overall spend on marketing and publicity. It is not possible to separate out specific payments for sponsorship without incurring disproportionate cost. Since 2007, the policy for the corporate centre of the Department has been that we do not actively seek or undertake sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship falls within the current restrictions on marketing and advertising expenditure.
	 (b) Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission
	The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission agreed a one-year partnership (January 2009 to January 2010) with Wikivorce, at a cost of £10,000, for them to carry a branded Child Maintenance Options microsite on their website. This was the first and, to date, only commercial partnership trial and was designed to target parents at an early stage of separation. Wikivorce is one of the largest online communities supporting people through relationship breakdown where the majority of visitors are parents with an even male and female split in the audience.
	 Health and Safety Executive
	The Health and Safety Executive's expenditure on sponsorship is captured within the data for overall spend on marketing and publicity. It is not possible to separate out specific payments for sponsorship from this data.
	 Remploy Ltd
	Remploy's expenditure on sponsorship is captured within the data for overall spend on marketing and publicity. It is not possible to separate out specific payments for sponsorship from this data.
	 Other non-departmental public bodies
	The following non-departmental public bodies have confirmed that they have not incurred any expenditure on sponsorship:
	Disability Employment Advisory Committee
	Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board
	Equality 2025
	Industrial Injuries Advisory Council
	Independent Living Fund
	National Employment Savings Trust corporation
	Pension Protection Fund
	Pensions Ombudsman/Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman
	Social Security Advisory Committee
	The Pensions Advisory Service
	The Pensions Regulator.

Disability Living Allowance

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Glasgow East of 6 December 2010,  Official Report, column 74W, on disability living allowance, what estimate he has made of the number of residential care residents who will cease to be entitled to the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance from October 2012.

Maria Miller: We estimate that approximately 40,000 people who claim the mobility component of disability living allowance at the higher rate and live in residential care will be affected by the measure to cease paying the mobility component in Great Britain from October 2012.

Disability Living Allowance: Medical Examinations

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the cost of implementing the proposed objective medical assessment for disability living allowance claim in 2013-14; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: It is proposed that disability living allowance will be replaced by personal independence payment from April 2013, with an objective assessment that takes account of the social model of disability as an integral part of that benefit. The cost of implementing the personal independence payment is dependent on the design of the new objective assessment and how it is delivered. The current consultation exercise will help inform these decisions. The Government will set out further detail at the earliest opportunity.

Disability Living Allowance: Medical Examinations

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent progress he has made on the public consultation in respect of the proposed objective medical assessment for disability living allowance claims; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: The Government launched a public consultation on the reform of disability living allowance with a new benefit, personal independence payment, on 6 December. The consultation sets out our proposed approach to the objective assessment for the new benefit and invites comment on these proposals. A copy of the consultation document "Disability Living Allowance reform" (Cm 7984), has been placed in the Library and is also available from our website at:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2010/dla-reform.shtml
	The public consultation on the reform of disability living allowance will run from 6 December to 14 February 2011, after which we will publish a response.

Housing Benefit

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the change in the number of private sector properties capable of being rented at the level of local housing allowance payments or below consequent on his Department's proposed changes to housing benefit.

Steve Webb: The Department published a document on 'Impacts of Housing Benefit proposals: Changes to the Local Housing Allowance to be introduced in 2011-12' on 23 July, which includes an indication of post-reform availability of private sector accommodation in tables 9,10 and 11. A copy of the document has been placed in the Library.

Housing Benefit

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of housing benefit received  (a) flat-rate and  (b) non flat-rate deductions for (i) heating, (ii) hot water, (iii) lighting and (iv) cooking in the latest period for which figures are available.

Steve Webb: Information is not available on housing benefit recipients who have deductions from their rent in respect of costs for heating, hot water and lighting.
	The Department does collect some information on deductions from rent, in relation to private tenant boarders for cooking, from the Housing Benefit data Source (SHBE) but to assess the completeness of recording and quality assure the figures to answer this PQ would incur disproportionate cost.

Housing Benefit

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of claimants of local housing allowance that made an additional payment to cover the difference between benefits received and rent paid; and what estimate he has made of the average amount of such weekly additional payments in each local authority by bedroom size in the latest period for which figures are available.

Steve Webb: A review of the first two years' operation of the local housing allowance arrangements is being undertaken to monitor the impact of the local housing allowance at a national level. The review aims to cover a range of issues including levels of excesses and shortfalls. The two year review will be published shortly.

Housing Benefit

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the monthly  (a) on-flows to and  (b) off-flows from local housing allowance in each local authority were in each month since April 2008.

Steve Webb: Information on local housing allowance on-flows and off-flows is not available.
	Experimental statistics of monthly housing benefit on-flows and off-flows are published on the Department's website at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/hb_ctb/hbctb_flows_nov10.xls
	but this information relates to all housing benefit recipients.

Housing Benefit: Ashfield

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many recipients of housing benefit who have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance for more than 12 months are resident in Ashfield constituency;
	(2)  how much on average was paid in housing benefit to recipients in Ashfield constituency in the latest period for which figures are available.

Steve Webb: The information is not available.
	Neither the total number of jobseeker's allowance claimants receiving housing benefit nor the duration of such claims is available. This analysis has not been quality assured to national statistics standard, and to do so would incur disproportionate cost.

Housing Benefit: Birmingham

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people in Birmingham, Ladywood constituency who will be affected by his proposed changes to housing benefit.

Steve Webb: This information is not available.
	At present geographic breakdowns are available at the local authority or regional level, as data are provided by local authorities.
	However, an exercise is being undertaken to add other geographical areas to the data: this will include parliamentary constituencies. This exercise will consist of validating postcodes and partial postcodes, using them to allocate cases to the appropriate geographical area using the revised ONS coding system, and resolving cases with missing or invalid postcodes. Analysts will then assess how best to incorporate this method into the regular processing of the HB/CTB returns from LAs. It is hoped this exercise will be completed by early 2011.

Housing Benefit: Edinburgh

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how much  (a) local housing allowance and  (b) housing benefit on average was paid to recipients in each type of housing tenure in Edinburgh East constituency in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many people in Edinburgh East constituency receive local housing allowance;
	(3)  what proportion of  (a) housing benefit and  (b) local housing allowance recipients in (i) local authority, (ii) housing association and (iii) private sector housing in Edinburgh East constituency were also in receipt of (A) jobseeker's allowance and (B) employment and support allowance in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(4)  how many recipients of local housing allowance who have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance for more than 12 months live in Edinburgh East constituency.

Steve Webb: The information is not available.
	At present geographic breakdowns are only available for local authorities and regions. However, an exercise is being undertaken to add other geographical areas to the data: this will include parliamentary constituencies.

Housing Benefit: Expenditure

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the likely effect on his Department's expenditure on housing benefit of his proposals for affordable rent for social housing.

Steve Webb: Work between DWP and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is ongoing on the impact on housing benefit of the proposals for affordable rent for social housing. Further details will be made available shortly, but initial indications in the spending review period were that the impact on housing benefit expenditure will be relatively small.

Housing Benefit: Glasgow

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average amount of housing benefit paid by tenure in Glasgow North constituency was in the latest period for which figures are available; what the average amount of local housing allowance paid to occupants of properties in each type of tenure in Glasgow North constituency was in that period; and what proportion of  (a) housing benefit and  (b) local housing allowance recipients in (i) local authority, (ii) housing association and (iii) private sector housing in Glasgow North constituency were also in receipt of (A) jobseeker's allowance and (B) employment and support allowance in that period.

Steve Webb: The information is not available.
	At present geographic breakdowns are available only for local authorities and regions. However, an exercise is being undertaken to add other geographical areas to the data: this will include parliamentary constituencies.
	Information is collected on the number of claimants in receipt of a passporting benefit, which includes income-based jobseeker's allowance and income-based employment support allowance. However neither the total number of jobseeker's allowance claimants nor the total number of employment support allowance claimants receiving housing benefit is available.

Housing Benefit: Glasgow

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Glasgow North constituency receive local housing allowance.

Steve Webb: The information is not available.
	At present geographic breakdowns are only available for local authorities and regions. However, an exercise is being undertaken to add other geographical areas to the data; this will include parliamentary constituencies.

Housing Benefit: Reform

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the  (a) research commissioned and evaluated by his Department and  (b) representations he has received since the announcement of his proposals for reforming housing benefit.

Steve Webb: We have considered relevant research published since the Budget announcement. We have also taken note of the views and concerns of stakeholders in relation to the implementation of the 2011 changes to Local Housing Allowance rates. As a consequence we are bringing forward the timing of the reduction of rates to the 30 percentile from October 2011 to April 2011. This avoids people being affected twice, first by the cap from April and then again after October. We are giving existing customers more time to adjust to any reduction in entitlement by giving them up to nine months transitional protection from the anniversary date of the claim. In addition we are providing a further £50 million over the spending review period towards the provision of housing advice and other practical support to help customers during the transition period.

Housing Benefit: Refuges

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the monetary value of the average weekly housing benefit payment made to those staying in women's aid refuges.

Steve Webb: Information on housing benefit payments made to those staying in women's aid refuges is not available.
	Information is collected on the number of claimants and average weekly award in payment by tenure of claimant. Tenure types are: social rented sector (which can be further broken down into local authority tenants and registered social landlord tenants) and private rented sector (which can be further broken down into private regulated tenants and private deregulated tenants (local/non-local housing allowance tenants)).

Housing Benefit: Scotland

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid on average in  (a) housing benefit and  (b) local housing allowance by tenure in North Ayrshire and Arran constituency in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available; what proportion of recipients of (i) housing benefit and (ii) local housing allowance in (A) local authority, (B) housing association and (C) private sector housing in North Ayrshire and Arran constituency were also in receipt of (1) jobseeker's allowance and (2) employment and support allowance in the most recent 12 months period for which figures are available.

Steve Webb: The information is not available at the constituency level.

Housing Benefit: Scotland

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of local housing allowance who have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance for more than 12 months are resident in North Ayrshire and Arran constituency.

Steve Webb: The information is not available.
	At present geographic breakdowns are only available for local authorities and regions. However, an exercise is being undertaken to add other geographical areas to the data: this will include parliamentary constituencies.

Housing Benefit: Sunderland

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of local housing allowance who have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance for more than 12 months are resident in Sunderland Central constituency.

Steve Webb: The information is not available.
	Neither the total number of jobseeker's allowance claimants receiving housing benefit nor the duration of such claims is available. This analysis has not been quality assured to national statistics standard, and to do so would incur disproportionate cost.

Housing Benefit: Temporary Accommodation

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the monetary value of the average weekly housing benefit payment made to households in  (a) temporary accommodation and  (b) bed and breakfast accommodation.

Steve Webb: Information on housing benefit payments made to households in temporary accommodation and bed and breakfast accommodation is not available.
	Information is collected on the number of claimants and average weekly award in payment by tenure of claimant. Tenure types are: social rented sector (which can be further broken down into local authority tenants and registered social landlord tenants) and private rented sector (which can be further broken down into private regulated tenants and private deregulated tenants (local/non-local housing allowance tenants)).

Housing Benefit: Worcestershire

Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in  (a) Worcestershire and  (b) Bromsgrove constituency were in receipt of housing benefit of more than £400 per week in the latest period for which figures are available.

Steve Webb: As at August 2010, our records show that there are fewer than five housing benefit recipients in both Bromsgrove and Worcestershire receiving more than £400 per week in housing benefit.

Income Support: Mortgages

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the effects of the change to the rate used to calculate support for mortgage interest payments from 1 October 2010 on the number of people entitled to passported benefits;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of individuals entitled to support for mortgage interest payments who ceased to receive  (a) pension credit,  (b) income-related jobseeker's allowance and  (c) income-related employment and support allowance payments following the change to the interest rate used to calculate support for mortgage interest payments from 1 October 2010.

Steve Webb: This information is not available.

Jobcentres: Greater London

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many square metres on average Jobshops located in London occupy; and what the  (a) smallest and  (b) largest size is of such premises;
	(2)  how many square metres on average Jobshops located in London which provide the full Jobcentre Plus service occupy; and what the  (a) smallest and  (b) largest site is of such premises.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Ruth Owen:
	The Secretary of State has asked Darra Singh to reply to your questions asking how many square metres on average Job centres located in London occupy; and what is the (a) smallest and (b) largest size of such premises. And how many square metres on average Jobcentres located in London which provide the full Jobcentre Plus service occupy; and what the (a) smallest and (b) largest site is of such premises. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Darra Singh as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. As Darra Singh is currently unavailable, I am replying in his absence.
	All our Jobcentres in London offer the full Jobcentre Plus service. On average Jobcentres in London occupy 1,800 sqm ranging between Edmonton Jobcentre, the smallest site at 667 sqm and Bromley Jobcentre, the largest site at 5464 sqm.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Working Hours

Mary Macleod: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether there is a maximum number of unpaid hours than an individual may work per week while claiming jobseeker's allowance and actively seeking work.

Chris Grayling: We believe that volunteering can play an important part in the life of unemployed people-not only through providing valuable support to their communities but it can also improve the chances of securing paid work.
	Claimants of jobseeker's allowance can therefore do unlimited voluntary work, providing they continue to meet all the usual entitlement conditions such as being available for and actively seeking work, although volunteers are allowed additional time to make themselves available for interviews and to take up employment. However, notional income may be taken into account if claimants undertake work voluntarily in circumstances where it is reasonable that they should be remunerated.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2010,  Official Report, column 795W, on mortgages: Government assistance, what  (a) discussions he has had with and  (b) guidance his Department has issued to mortgage providers on how to proceed with borrowers claiming support for mortgage interest mortgages with interest rates substantially higher than the standard interest rate used to calculate support payments; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: We have discussions from time to time with the Council of Mortgage Lenders about support for mortgage interest. The Council of Mortgage Lenders has told the Department that it expects lenders to continue to exercise forbearance where it is fair to do so for the borrower, and the borrower has a chance of paying off any arrears in the future. The Council of Mortgage Lenders has told us that where arrears levels increase for some borrowers as a result of the change in the standard interest rate this does not necessarily translate into an immediate possession risk.
	It would not be appropriate for my Department to issue specific or detailed guidance to mortgage providers about how they should manage accounts which have shortfalls. However, we have made clear our expectation that lenders should continue to offer support and forbearance to their customers who are struggling with their mortgage repayments.
	Lenders are required to consider what they can do to prevent borrowers losing their homes. Under the Pre-Action Protocol, lenders must prove they have considered all other options before trying to repossess a property. For example, they may agree to change or lengthen the term of the loan, accept reduced payments in the short-term, or add the debt to the amount borrowed.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2010,  Official Report, columns 841-42W, on mortgages: Government assistance, for what reasons he reduced the rate of interest used to calculate support for mortgage interest prior to the completion of a model to estimate the effect of changes to support for mortgage interest on the number of repossessions; when he expects such a model to be completed; and if he will place a copy of his findings in the Library.

Steve Webb: It was necessary for the Government to put support for mortgage interest on a more sustainable footing, and to better reflect mortgage costs, which is why we set the standard interest rate at a level equal to the Bank of England's published monthly average mortgage rate from 1 October. The rate is currently 3.63%. The previous rate of 6.08% was too generous and resulted in the vast majority of people getting more than their eligible mortgage interest liability, which was unfair to taxpayers. The plans of the previous Government would have meant that the standard interest rate would have reverted to a formula-the Bank of England Base Rate plus 1.58%-which, at present, would produce a rate of 2.08% from January 2011.
	The Department is in the process of developing a model to estimate the impact of changes to support for mortgage interest on the number of repossessions. However any estimates will always be limited since detailed case-by-case information, such as arrears at the start of a claim, is not collected by the Department. Furthermore, the relationship between arrears and continued home ownership is a complex one dependant on more than the level of support for mortgage interest payable. The Department will consider whether the results can be used publicly, and the findings placed in the Library, once this work is complete, which we would expect to be early in 2011.

Mortgages: Repossession Orders

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the percentage change in mortgage repossessions which will occur in each of the next four quarters as a result of changes to mortgage interest support.

Steve Webb: The Department does not capture information on reasons for ending a benefit claim, including support for mortgage interest, so does not capture the number of claimants who no longer receive support for mortgage interest payments because they have been repossessed.
	The Department is in the process of developing a model to estimate the impact of changes to support for mortgage interest on the number of repossessions. However any estimates will always be limited since detailed case-by-case information, such as arrears at the start of a claim, is not collected by the Department. Furthermore, the relationship between arrears and continued home ownership is a complex one dependant on more than the level of support for mortgage interest payable. The Department will consider whether the results can be used publicly once this work is complete.
	The Council of Mortgage Lenders has told the Department that it expects lenders to continue to exercise forbearance where it is fair to do so for the borrower, and the borrower has a chance of paying off any arrears in the future. The Council of Mortgage Lenders thinks that where arrears levels increase for some borrowers as a result of the change in the standard interest rate this does not translate into an immediate possession risk.

Personal Income: Glasgow

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the median household income of a family in  (a) the social rented sector,  (b) the private rented sector and  (c) owner-occupied accommodation in Glasgow North constituency was (i) before and (ii) after housing costs in the latest period for which figures are available.

Steve Webb: We use households below average income data to provide estimates of median incomes. However, the sample size of this survey is not sufficient to provide estimates for low-level geographies such as those requested.
	The following table shows the median equivalised disposable household income by tenure for Scotland, before and after housing costs.
	
		
			  Table 1: Median equivalised disposable household income, for families, by tenure for Scotland, three year average 2006-07 to 2008-09, before and after housing costs 
			  £ 
			   Median equivalised disposable household income for families 
			  Tenure type  BHC  AHC 
			 Owners 467 424 
			 Social renters 291 235 
			 Private renters 346 253 
			  Notes:  1. These statistics are based on households below average income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.  2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response.  3. The reference period for HBAI figures is single financial years. For countries and regions within the UK, three survey years have been combined, as single year estimates are subject to volatility.  4. Incomes are presented in 2008-09 prices and have been rounded to the nearest pound sterling.  5. Families are defined as a single adult or couple living as married and any dependent children, including same sex couples (civil partnerships and cohabitees) from January 2006. A household is made up of one of more families and is defined as a single person or group of people living at the same address as their only or main residence, who either share one meal a day together or share the living accommodation (i.e. a living room). In line with the wording of the question, analysis has been carried out at the family level.   Source:  Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Personal Records: Departmental Co-ordination

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Tell Us Once service; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans he has for the future of the Tell Us Once service.

Chris Grayling: The Government are committed to making the Tell Us Once Birth and Bereavement Service available nationally during 2011.
	The service is regularly reviewed as part of the Government's Gated Review process. In addition, in September 2010 a further review of the contractual arrangements required to deliver the service confirmed that Tell Us Once is a valuable service that will deliver improved customer service at lower cost for both the customer and the taxpayer.
	The service is currently offered on a face to face basis at local authorities and over the phone via a national telephony service provided by my Department. It is also planned to make it available on line by the end of 2011.
	Currently 85% of all local authorities have committed to offer the service. By devolving power to the local level authorities are able to tailor the service so that it supports the needs of the community.
	As of today there are 42 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales offering the Birth and Bereavement Service and in total almost 29,000 customers have chosen to use it since testing began. Customer feedback has been extremely positive and has been used to help design how the service will operate in future.
	The priority for Tell Us Once will be to successfully roll out its Birth and Bereavement Service and then to increase the number of partner organisations and benefits and services in addition to the 24 it currently works with so that benefits for the customer, taxpayer and Government are maximised.
	In addition, working with the private sector will be crucial so that we can provide additional services that our customers have told us they want, such as telling utilities and banks about a death. By taking this forward on a commercial basis it will enable the costs to the taxpayer to be minimised.
	Tell Us Once also has the mandate to develop a Change of Address service in partnership with the private sector so that citizens no longer need to do this multiple times themselves and so that the taxpayer does not carry the cost.

Real-time Earnings Data

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department plans to pass the real-time earnings data collected for calculation of Universal Credit to  (a) local authorities and  (b) other public bodies.

Chris Grayling: The administration of universal credit will be organised by the Department for Work and Pensions. We are working closely with local authorities, the devolved administrations and other public bodies on the implications for them of the introduction of universal credit, but we do not currently expect that local authorities and other public bodies will need to have access to real-time earnings data.

Remploy

Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in  (a) Glasgow,  (b) Scotland and  (c) the UK Remploy has employed in each of the last five years.

Maria Miller: The number of people employed by Remploy in Glasgow, Scotland and the UK for the year 2005-06 to 2009-10 are provided in the following table. The figures for Remploy enterprise businesses in Glasgow include the factories in Clydebank and Springfield.
	
		
			  Total Remploy staff employed in Glasgow, Scotland and the UK 
			Enterprise businesses( 1)  Other employees  Total 
			 Glasgow 2005-06 168 - 168 
			  2006-07 164 33 197 
			  2007-08 163 39 202 
			  2008-09 145 37 182 
			  2009-10 134 55 189 
			  
			 Scotland 2005-06 627 77 704 
			  2006-07 569 103 672 
			  2007-08 506 115 621 
			  2008-09 428 125 553 
			  2009-10 428 144 572 
			  
			 UK 2005-06 5,758 1,655 7,413 
			  2006-07 5,446 1,676 7,122 
			  2007-08 3,947 1,646 5,593 
			  2008-09 3,200 1,773 4,973 
			  2009-10 3,192 1,986 5,178 
			 (1) Including factories and Future Jobs Fund trainees (in 2009-10).

Social Rented Housing

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the median income was of a household in  (a) the social rented sector,  (b) the private rented sector and  (c) owner-occupied accommodation in (i) South Lanarkshire and (ii) Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency (A) before and (B) after housing costs in the latest period for which figures are available.

Steve Webb: We use households below average income data to provide estimates of median incomes. However, the sample size of this survey is not sufficient to provide estimates for low-level geographies such as those requested.
	The following table shows the median equivalised disposable household income by tenure for Scotland, before and after housing costs.
	
		
			  Table 1: Median equivalised disposable household income, for households, by tenure for Scotland, three year average 2006-07 to 2008-09, before and after housing costs 
			   Median equivalised disposable household income for households 
			  Tenure Type  BHC  AHC 
			 Owners 456 419 
			 Social renters 287 233 
			 Private renters 344 271 
			  Notes: 1. These statistics are based on households below average income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.  2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response.  3. The reference period for HBAI figures is single financial years. For countries and regions within the UK, three survey years have been combined as single year estimates are subject to volatility.  4. Incomes are presented in 2008-09 prices and have been rounded to the nearest pound sterling.  5. Families are defined as a single adult or couple living as married and any dependent children, including same sex couples (civil partnerships and cohabitees) from January 2006. A household is made up of one or more families and is defined as a single person or group of people living at the same address as their only or main residence, who either share one meal a day together or share the living accommodation (i.e. a living room). In line with the wording of the question, analysis has been carried out at the household level.  Source:  Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Social Rented Housing: Reform

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the outcomes were of his recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the likely effects on the social rented housing market of his Department's proposed welfare reforms.

Steve Webb: The Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) continue to hold regular discussions at ministerial and official level on the development of policies where there is a shared interest.
	The Department has made no assessment of the likely effects on the social housing market of its proposed welfare reforms. We shall publish an impact assessment on the proposed changes to housing benefit for social sector tenants from 2013 to accompany the relevant legislation when introduced in Parliament.

Social Rented Housing: Edinburgh

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the median income was of a household in  (a) the social rented sector,  (b) the private rented sector and  (c) owner-occupied accommodation in Edinburgh East constituency (i) before and (ii) after housing costs in the latest period for which figures are available.

Steve Webb: We use households below average income data to provide estimates of median incomes. However, the sample size of this survey is not sufficient to provide estimates for low-level geographies such as those requested.
	The following table shows the median equivalised disposable household income by tenure for Scotland, before and after housing costs.
	
		
			  Median equivalised disposable household income, for households, by tenure for Scotland, three year average 2006-07 to 2008-09, before and after housing costs 
			   Median equivalised disposable household income for households 
			  Tenure type  BHC  AHC 
			 Owners 456 419 
			 Social renters 287 233 
			 Private renters 344 271 
			  Notes: 1. These statistics are based on households below average income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 3. The reference period for HBAI figures is single financial years. For countries and regions within the UK, three survey years have been combined as single year estimates are subject to volatility. 4. Incomes are presented in 2008-09 prices and have been rounded to the nearest pound sterling. 5. Families are defined as a single adult or couple living as married and any dependent children, including same sex couples (civil partnerships and cohabitees) from January 2006. A household is made up of one of more families and is defined as a single person or group of people living at the same address as their only or main residence, who either share one meal a day together or share the living accommodation (ie a living room). In line with the wording of the question, analysis has been carried out at the household level.  Source: Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 2006-07 to 2008-09

Social Rented Housing: Scotland

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the median household income was of a family in  (a) the social rented sector,  (b) the private rented sector and  (c) owner-occupied accommodation in North Ayrshire and Arran constituency (i) including and (ii) excluding housing costs in the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available.

Steve Webb: We use Households Below Average Income data to provide estimates of median incomes. However, the sample size of this survey is not sufficient to provide estimates for low-level geographies such as those requested.
	The following table shows the median equivalised disposable household income by tenure for Scotland, before and after housing costs.
	
		
			  Table 1: Median equivalised disposable household income, for families, by tenure for Scotland, three year average 2006-07 to 2008-09, before and after housing costs 
			   Median equivalised disposable household income for families 
			  Tenure Type  BHC  AHC 
			 Owners 467 424 
			 Social Renters 291 235 
			 Private Renters 346 253 
			  Notes: 1. These statistics are based on Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 3. The reference period for HBAI figures is single financial years. For countries and regions within the UK, three survey years have been combined as single year estimates are subject to volatility. 4. Incomes are presented in 2008/09 prices and have been rounded to the nearest pound sterling. 5. Families are defined as a single adult or couple living as married and any dependent children, including same sex couples (civil partnerships and cohabitees) from January 2006. A household is made up of one of more families and is defined as a single person or group of people living at the same address as their only or main residence, who either share one meal a day together or share the living accommodation (i.e. a living room). In line with the wording of the question, analysis has been carried out at the family level.  Source:  Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 2006-07 to 2008-09

Social Security Benefits: Armed Forces

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of households of armed forces personnel in receipt of each benefit paid by his Department.

Chris Grayling: The information is not available.

Social Security Benefits: Brighton

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of local housing allowance who have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance for more than 12 months are resident in Brighton, Pavilion constituency.

Steve Webb: The information is not available.
	At present geographic breakdowns are only available for local authorities and regions. However, an exercise is being undertaken to add other geographical areas to the data: this will include parliamentary constituencies.

Social Security Benefits: Widowed People

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether higher rate taxpayers will continue to be eligible for widowed parent's allowance when they lose their entitlement to child benefit.

Steve Webb: Higher rate taxpayers will continue to be eligible for widowed parent's allowance following the forthcoming changes to child benefit.

State Retirement Pensions

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people  (a) receive and  (b) contribute to a pension under the state savings related pension scheme.

Steve Webb: The information is as follows:
	 (a) 8,814,100 people were in receipt of additional pension payable under the state earnings related pension or the state second pension schemes in March 2010.
	 (b) 23,224,000 people accrued some additional pension under the state second pension scheme in the 2007-08 tax year.
	 Notes:
	1. The state earnings-related pension (SERPS) scheme operated from 1978 to 2001 inclusive. It was replaced with the state second pension (S2P) in 2002.
	2. The figure in part  (a) refers to claimants resident in Great Britain, and is rounded to the nearest hundred individuals.
	3. The figure in part  (b) is rounded to the nearest thousand individuals. It includes employees who were contracted-out of SERPS, but accrued some S2P by virtue of class 1 earnings-that is, contracted-out employees accruing some "S2P top-up". It also includes people who accrued S2P through home responsibilities protection or through credits because of their inability to work. The latest data available are for the tax year 2007-08, and are provisional.
	 Source:
	DWP, Information Directorate, 5% sample administrative data and Lifetime Labour Market Database 1% sample of the National Insurance Recording System.

Unemployed People

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health in respect of support needed for people who are moved off benefit but not into work; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: I have had no discussions with the Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), on this specific issue although our Departments work closely together on the Government's new approach to public health and NHS reform plans.
	There are a number of reasons why people move off benefits but do not move into employment, for example, many people leave benefits to take up a course of education or training. We are working closely with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to encourage the take-up of skills provision through the development of appropriate training that meets the needs of both individuals and local employers to help move unemployed people into work.
	Under our commitment to reassess all existing customers currently in receipt of incapacity benefit to ensure they get the right help and support to find work, we expect many people will be found fit for work and moved off incapacity benefit. They will be able to claim jobseeker's allowance rather than leave benefits altogether. When on jobseeker's allowance they will receive enhanced personal support and flexible provision to help improve their employability.
	The Work Choice programme, which provides intensive support for disabled people with more complex barriers to finding and staying in employment, is available to disabled people-provided they are both eligible and suitable-regardless of any benefits being claimed. Non benefit recipients can also access some Jobcentre Plus services such as using Jobcentre Plus job points to help them find employment.

Welsh Language

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department last published a Welsh language scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993; and at which web addresses these can be accessed in  (a) Welsh and  (b) English.

Chris Grayling: The Department published its current Welsh language scheme on 6 August 2010. The scheme can be accessed on the web address for the Department for Work and Pensions as follows:
	 (a) Welsh
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wls-welsh.pdf
	 (b) English
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/corporate-publications/welsh-language-scheme
	The scheme has also been published on the Welsh Language Board's website: Welsh version:
	http://www.byig-wlb.org.uk/Cymraeg/cyhoeddiadau/Cyhoeddiadau/Cynllun%20Iaith%20Gymraeg%20-%20Adran%20Gwaith%20a%20Phensiynau.pdf
	English version:
	http://www.byig-wlb.org.uk/english/publications/pages/publicationitem.aspx?puburl=/english/publications/publications/welsh+language+scheme+-+department+for+work+and+pensions.pdf

Winter Fuel Payments: Ex-servicemen

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the merits of incorporating winter fuel payments into the War Pension Scheme for armed forces veterans; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: Winter fuel payments are made to most people, including some 75% of war pensioners in the war pension scheme, who have reached state pension age for women and are ordinarily resident in the UK. Older people are targeted because they are particularly vulnerable to the effects of cold weather during the winter months.
	In the spending review of 20 October 2010 the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), announced that the winter fuel payment will remain exactly as budgeted for by the previous Government. We have no plans to extend the payment to people below the present qualifying age.

Work Capability Assessment

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of communication and feedback between Jobcentre Plus, Atos Healthcare and the First-tier Tribunal to improve the quality of decision-making relating to work capability assessments; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	  Letter from Darra Singh:
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your question about what recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of communication and feedback between Jobcentre Plus, Atos Healthcare and the First-tier Tribunal to improve the quality of decision making relating to work capability assessments. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	As recommended in the independent review led by Professor Malcolm Harrington, Jobcentre Plus is working closely with Atos and the Tribunal Service to ensure that decisions are made as quickly and efficiently as possible. We are constantly seeking to improve the quality of our decisions and appeal responses and are currently testing a range of new measures to improve the dissemination of best practice and ensure more decisions are right first time. An example of this is our arrangements for representatives of the three organisations to meet at a regional level on a quarterly basis. This will enable an exchange of views and information which Jobcentre Plus managers will use to review and improve the quality of decision making, including those involving Work Capability Assessments.
	In addition to this, we are building on existing good practices to develop more effective working relationships through a number of joint initiatives. These include quarterly meetings at regional level between representatives of the three organisations, the regular provision by Atos healthcare professionals of advice and support to Jobcentre Plus Decision Makers and Appeals staff and the use of feedback from the Tribunals Service to improve decision making.

Work Programme

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what recent progress his Department has made on delivering the Work Programme;
	(2)  when he expects to launch the Work Programme.

Chris Grayling: The Department has recently published an updated Work Programme Prospectus to clarify further details of the policy design and commercial arrangements of the Work Programme, and intends to publish the Work Programme Invitation to Tender before the end of December, to ensure the commercial process remains on track.
	We intend to roll out the Work Programme nationally by summer 2011.

Work Programme: Glasgow

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2010,  Official Report, column 9, on the Work Programme, what enhanced support will be provided to 
	(1)  single parents in Glasgow between the end of support provided through employment zones on 31 December 2010 and the launch of the Work programme;
	(2)  long-term claimants of jobseeker's allowance in Glasgow between the end of  (a) referrals to and  (b) support through employment zones on 31 December 2010 and the launch of the Work Programme.

Chris Grayling: We want to ensure that as many people benefit from the Work Programme as soon as possible, and will launch the Work Programme as soon as providers are ready to start delivery in each contract package area. We aim to have the new Work Programme in place nationally by the summer of 2011.
	We are determined to ensure that there is continuity of provision, and that the transition to the Work Programme does not leave any customer unsupported. Therefore, new deal and employment zone contracts will be extended until June 2011, ensuring that customers referred to these programmes in March will be supported until the summer, by which time the Work Programme will have been rolled out.
	Customers, including lone parents on income support and those on jobseeker's allowance, will have access to flexible support delivered through Jobcentre Plus, including volunteering opportunities and help with basic skills or job-search techniques, before their referral to the Work Programme. In some areas additional support will also be available, so customers can access work experience, or take advantage of peer-to-peer support. Lone parents will not be referred to the Work Programme as long as they are in receipt of income support.
	Once the Work Programme has been launched, jobseeker allowance customers facing significant disadvantage, for example long-term benefit claimants, ex offenders, or young people with significant barriers to work, will be offered early access to the Work Programme at three months, to ensure they have access to the necessary support as soon as possible.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Addison Lee

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies contract services from Addison Lee.

Nick Herbert: The Home Department and its agencies do not hold contracts with the Addison Lee private hire taxi company. Records show that over the last 12 months the Department did on one occasion hire a coach from the company.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders: Reading Berkshire

Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders were issued to people aged  (a) under 18 and  (b) 18 years or over in the criminal justice area covering Reading in each of the last 10 years.

James Brokenshire: Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) became available on 1 April 1999. The latest available published data, compiled by the Ministry of Justice, on the number of ASBOs issued covers the period 1 April 1999 to 31 December 2008. Reading is within the Thames Valley Criminal Justice System (CJS) area.
	The number of ASBOs issued at all courts in the Thames Valley CJS area in each year, by age group, between 1 April 1999 and 31 December 2008 is shown in the following table.
	ASBO data covering the period up to the end of 2009 is due to be published on 25 January 2011.
	
		
			  Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued at all courts( 1)  in the Thames Valley Criminal Justice System (CJS) area as reported to the Ministry of Justice( 2)  by the Court Service by age group, 1 April 1999 to 31 December 2008 
			  Thames Valley 
			  ASBOs 
			  Age group( 3)  Total issued  April 1999  to  May 2000  June  to  December 2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Total ASBOs issued 306 1 1 7 6 16 77 57 44 54 43 
			  Of which  is sued to defendants:
			 Aged 10-17 81 n/a - 3 2 5 21 10 3 17 20 
			 Aged 18+ 215 n/a 1 3 3 10 53 45 40 37 23 
			 Age not reported 10 1 - 1 1 1 3 2 1 - - 
			 n/a = Not available (1) Includes ASBOs issued on application by magistrates courts acting in their civil capacity and county courts, which became available on 1 April 1999 and ASBOs made following conviction for a relevant criminal offence at the Crown court and at magistrates courts (acting in their criminal capacity), which became available on 2 December 2002. (2) Prior to the creation of the Ministry of Justice on 9 May 2007, numbers of ASBOs issued were reported to Home Office by the Court Service. (3) No age details available for the period April 1999 to May 2000.  Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Borders: Personal Records

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the adequacy of her Department's strategy for procuring new services for the e-Borders programme from commercial suppliers of such services against the programme's value for money objectives.

Damian Green: Since the e-Borders contract with Raytheon Systems was terminated on 22 July 2010, the e-Borders programme has been pursuing a strategy to procure services to replace those due under the original contract.
	Engagement with suppliers always includes an assessment of the value for money considerations of their proposals. The Government are committed to the e-Borders programme and in line with Office of Government Commerce guidelines will continue to scrutinise potential suppliers' ability to provide the systems and services required. This scrutiny ensures delivery of Government objectives consistent with business requirements of the e-borders programme, while delivering value for money.

Borders: Personal Records

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the value for money of recent procurement exercises for e-Borders contracts.

Damian Green: Since the termination of the contract with the prime supplier, Raytheon Systems Limited, the e-Borders programme has been securing the services and systems that are currently in operation. Alongside this, a strategy to procure services to replace those that were due to be delivered under the original e-Borders contract has been developed. The programme is currently examining options for contracting with new suppliers and expects to be able to set out agreed next steps in the new year. All options for future services include a rigorous assessment of value for money.

Departmental Conferences

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department's annual budget for conferences was at  (a) 7 May 2010 and  (b) 7 December 2010.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not set budgets for spend on conferences. However, as with all activities of this nature, we are working to reduce the amount we spend and overall will be reducing our administration budget by one third by the end of the Spending Review period. Where conferences do take place the Home Office constantly seeks to ensure that any conferences that it organises are both necessary, and provide good value for money for the taxpayer.

Departmental Grants

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the monetary value of grants awarded by her Department was in 2009-10; and how much she expects to award in grants in  (a) 2010-11 and  (b) 2011-12;
	(2)  what grants have been awarded by her Department in 2010-11 to date; what grants she plans to award in each of the next two years; what the monetary value is of each such grant; and to which organisations such grants are made.

Nick Herbert: The total of grants awarded in 2009-10 was £8 billion, which included £4.7 billion in Police General Grant.
	We expect to award around £8 billion in grants in 2010-11, which includes £4.7 billion in Police General Grant.
	The Department is currently conducting an internal allocation exercise which will decide the future of individual grants within the overall spending review settlement for the Home Office. We will notify grant recipients on the future of these funding streams as soon as possible.
	Detail on 2011-12 funding allocations for all police forces was announced on 13 December when the provisional police settlements were placed before the House of Commons.
	We expect to award grants worth around £8 billion in 2010-11. This figure is as at accounting period seven.
	Around £6.9 billion has been awarded for the purposes of crime reduction and policing, as set out in the tables placed in the House Library.
	Around £200 million has been awarded from the UK Border Agency, as set out in the tables placed in the House Library.
	Around £870 million has been awarded from the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism. This is awarded to a mixture of central Government bodies, local authorities, the police and voluntary sector organisations.
	For reasons of national security, we cannot provide the detailed breakdown.
	The Department is currently conducting an internal allocation exercise which will decide the future of individual grants within the overall spending review settlement for the Home Office. We will notify grant recipients on the future of these funding streams as soon as possible.

Departmental Leave

Claire Perry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what programmes  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies have in place to reduce the number of working days lost through sickness and other forms of absence.

Nick Herbert: In spring 2009 the Home Office and its agencies introduced new sickness absence policies and supporting guidance to promote the effective management of sickness absence by line managers. Stretching three year targets were also introduced to achieve significant reductions in sickness absence by March 2013.
	The policies include a requirement for managers to conduct return to work interviews after every instance of sickness absence. Allowing for exceptional circumstances, mandatory warnings are given to staff whose level of absence exceeds pre-defined limits.
	A new online recording system automatically prompts line managers when further interventions are required and enables senior managers to monitor whether these are taking place. The system also enables all absences to be tracked and accurate management information to be collated.
	In addition, a Wellbeing strategy has been developed to promote the physical and mental health of staff. Events have been held around the country to promote the range of support services which are available to staff. Managers have access to professional occupational health advice as necessary. Staff have direct access to a 24 hour/365 day confidential Employee Assistance programme providing support, advice and counselling on a range of personal issues.
	These policies have enabled the Department to reduce sickness absence month on month over the past 16 months.

Departmental Leave

Claire Perry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of  (a) sickness and  (b) unauthorised absence among staff in her Department and its agencies in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office has put in place strict new policies for reducing sickness absence, which has produced month by month falls in the levels of sickness absence over the last 16 months. The total cost of sickness absence is therefore coming down, and the latest estimates of cost for the 33,000 employees of the Home Office and its agencies was £28.16 million for the 12 months ending June 2010. That remains, however, too high and the plan is to reduce it further.
	In respect of unauthorised absence, employees who are absent from work without authorisation and fail to report their absence within 24 hours will be classed as absent without leave (AWOL). Employees who fail to make contact within five working days will have their salary withheld until further notice and are dealt with under the misconduct procedure. The number of staff classed as AWOL is small and we do not hold data relating to this type of absence centrally.
	Calculating the cost of unauthorised absence could therefore be done only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Press: Subscriptions

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much  (a) her Department and  (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible spent on press cuttings services in each of the last 12 months.

Nick Herbert: The Department's expenditure, including that of its executive agencies and executive non-departmental public bodies, is set out in the table.
	Figures quoted are inclusive of VAT and include all National Licensing Authority Fees. Extracting these costs would result in the PQ becoming unanswerable due to disproportionate cost.
	All expenditure is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
	
		
			  Expenditure on press cutting service 
			  Rounded to nearest £ 
			   National Policing Improvement Agency  Independent Safeguarding Authority  Independent Police Complaints Commission  Security Industry Authority  Serious and Organised Crime Agency  Criminal Records Bureau  Identity and Passport Service  Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner  UK Border Agency  Home Office HQ 
			 November 2009 (1)750 per quarter on electronic media service 0 2,231 676 2,459 412 6,418 0 1,015 12,564 
			 December 2009 (1)- 0 2,278 711 2,234 595 4,618 0 874 12,718 
			 January 2010 (1)- 0 3,792 584 2,263 400 5,589 0 126 16,561 
			 February 2010 (1)- 1,118 3,157 610 2,570 282 5,574 0 501 29,633 
			 March 2010 (1)- 1,477 4,071 644 3,265 292 5,085 0 2,212 27,300 
			 April 2010 (1)- 1,698 3,344 519 2,458 280 4,843 0 520 7,826 
			 May 2010 (1)- 1,563 2,477 509 1,783 290 3,189 0 339 16,269 
			 June 2010 (1)- 1,995 3,675 611 2,061 307 1,145 0 554 20,602 
			 July 2010 (1)- 770 6,109 535 2,235 371 763 0 2,224 11,530 
			 August 2010 (1)- 528 2,774 1,177 2,033 616 958 0 1,693 17,256 
			 September 2010 (1)- 523 3,874 671 2,033 502 695 0 1,610 15,379 
			 October 2010 (1)- 493 2,906 464 1,817 584 648 0 795 6,210 
			 Total 3,000 10,165 40,688 7,711 27,211 4,931 39,525 0 12,463 193,848 
			 (1) Indicates a brace.

Departmental Procurement

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps  (a) her Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible have taken to comply with the Guidance of the Office of Government Commerce on promoting skills through public procurement issued in 2009.

Nick Herbert: The Home Department including its agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) fully supports the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) guidance on promoting skills through public procurement and furthering the Government's aim of improving the skills within their supplier community.
	The OGC guidance has been issued to the Home Department's entire procurement community including its agencies and NDPBs advising them that there are opportunities to embed skills and apprenticeships at all stages in the procurement process.
	As part of the Department's Supplier Relationship Management programme, workshops have been held with key suppliers to discuss various initiatives including work force skills. Subsequently, suppliers undertaking contracts for the Department who attended a conference, were asked to provide data as to the number of apprentices engaged on the Department's business.
	Additionally, the Department uses a web-based toolkit known as CAESER. The toolkit is used to assess the risk within the supply chain and includes the collation of information on suppliers' policies and practices with regards to work force skills. Suppliers are asked to complete the assessment toolkit on an annual basis and the data is made available to commercial managers. The current exercise concludes on 31 December.

DNA: Databases

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when her Department plans to implement proposals to destroy DNA records of those who have not been convicted of any crime;
	(2)  when her Department plans to introduce its proposed new system for holding DNA samples.

James Brokenshire: We will bring forward a package of proposals on DNA retention in the Freedom Bill. These proposals will build on our commitment to adopt the protections of the Scottish model.
	We are working with the police service so that our proposals can be implemented as soon as possible after they have received parliamentary approval.

Domestic Violence

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many multi-agency risk assessment conferences there have been in  (a) each region of England and  (b) Wales in each year since 2005.

Lynne Featherstone: The data for Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) were not centrally collected until 2009 and no figures exist on meetings held before 2008. The data presented reflect information from MARACs returning data for the purpose of recording MARAC activity including recording repeat incidents of domestic violence, and this may not cover all MARACs. However, the latest figures are considered to be a reasonably reliable guide by Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse (CAADA) who are the charity collecting this information. The following table is a summary of the information available broken down by region:
	
		
			   2008  2009  2010 
			  Region  Number  of MARACs  Total  number  of meetings  Number  of MARACs  Total  number  of meetings  Number  of MARACs  Total  number  of meetings 
			 North-west 10 143 22 285 33 468 
			 North-east 4 73 11 217 12 276 
			 Yorks and Humber 9 116 19 248 21 317 
			 East midlands 3 42 17 201 15 264 
			 West midlands 7 98 9 154 19 282 
			 South-west 16 196 25 296 27 406 
			 South-east 17 207 25 253 42 509 
			 East 9 88 19 169 20 238 
			 Wales 4 65 14 201 22 317 
			 London 0 0 20 190 31 413 
			 Total 79 1,028 181 2,214 242 3,490 
			  Notes: 1. The numbers are taken from the end of March 2008, 2009, 2010 for the previous 12 months, where a MARAC had been sending in data for less than 12 months, the numbers are the totals to date. 2. CAADA does not have a record of data for MARACs held before 2007. 3. CAADA does not have data from any London MARAC before 2008. 4. Although data recorded do not comprehensively cover all MARACs, and figures will have been influenced by improved reporting rates over this period, it is reasonable to assume that the increase in number of meetings and MARACs returning data does also indicate an increase in total numbers of MARACs in operation.

Domestic Violence

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many independent domestic violence advisers were employed in  (a) each region of England and  (b) Wales in each year since 2005.

Lynne Featherstone: This information is not collected centrally as independent domestic violence advisers (IDVAs) can be employed and funded by a range of different organisations. We do know that since 2004 over 900 IDVA training places have been provided by the charity Coordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse.

Driving under Influence: Drugs

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make an assessment of the suitability for use by police forces of roadside drug testing equipment used by the German police.

James Brokenshire: Any equipment for use by the police in this country must be of a type approved by the Secretary of State. Type approval is granted on the basis of compliance with a specification which sets out the detailed requirements a device has to meet and the testing regime which it has to pass to be suitable for use in British operational conditions and within the British legal framework. We hope to issue very shortly the specification for a device for use in a police station and are continuing work towards the specification for a roadside device. It will be for manufacturers to submit for testing and approval any devices which they think meet the specification.

EC External Trade: India

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received from EU institutions on migration of workers from India to the UK as part of the EU's free trade agreement with India.

Damian Green: The Home Office has not received any representations from the EU institutions concerning the EU-India free trade agreement.
	Any contact between Her Majesty's Government and the EU on the negotiation of such agreements is a matter for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. They then consult with other Government Departments, including the Home Office, as they did on this agreement.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many certificates of sponsorship have been awarded in each of the last five years; and how many have been awarded under tier 2 of the points-based system since May 2010.

Damian Green: Tiers 2 and 5 of the points-based system were introduced on 27 November 2008.
	The number of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) that have been issued by Tier 2 and 5 sponsors is as follows:
	
		
			   Numbers of CoS issued 
			 2008 2,095 
			 2009 107,050 
			 20101 (to 10 December) 111,280 
		
	
	Since 1 May 2010 to 10 December 2010 Tier 2 sponsors have issued 41,860 CoS. This number includes those issued under Tier 2 General, Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer, Tier 2 Minister of Religion and Tier 2 Sportsperson routes.
	These figures are based on management information and are not subject to the detailed checks that apply for national statistics. They are provisional and may be subject to change.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had on reform of the student visa system.

Damian Green: The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), has regular discussions with her colleagues and a variety of external corporate partners, covering a range of issues, including the reform of the student visa system.

Human Trafficking

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made, together with police forces, of the outcomes of the Pentameter 1 and 2 investigations into human trafficking.

Damian Green: holding answer 29 November 2010
	During the operational phase of the Pentameter 1 and 2 investigations, 638 people were arrested for human trafficking related and other offences and 257 potential victims, including five for trafficking for forced labour, were recovered.

Human Trafficking

Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on prevention of human trafficking; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: Working to ensure people do not fall prey to exploitation at the hands of traffickers in the first place is an important part of our overall approach to tackling human trafficking. We work closely with international partners to prevent trafficking at source and with voluntary organisations which raise awareness of the problem within the United Kingdom.

Human Trafficking: Children

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will meet ECPAT UK to discuss its experience of child trafficking in the UK for the purpose of developing an appropriate comprehensive approach to child trafficking prior to her announcement of a new strategy for human trafficking in spring 2011.

Damian Green: The voluntary sector plays a key role in the identification of, and provision of support to, victims of human trafficking. We are strongly supportive of this role and will continue to work in partnership with voluntary organisations to reduce the incidence of human trafficking. I met with the APPG on Human Trafficking, and representatives of ECPAT UK, on 12 July 2010.
	Home Office officials will shortly be contacting non-governmental organisations to discuss development of the forthcoming strategy on human trafficking.

Human Trafficking: Children

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police operations to tackle the trafficking of children are in place in England.

Damian Green: Tackling human trafficking is a core part of police business. In addition, current operations concerned with tackling specific child trafficking issues in England include Operation Golf and the two multi-agency operational responses of Paladin and Newbridge.

Human Trafficking: Finance

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what funding her Department plans to provide for  (a) actions against human trafficking and  (b) support for victims of human trafficking in each year of the comprehensive spending review period;
	(2)  what funding her Department plans to provide for  (a) actions against human trafficking and (b) support for victims of human trafficking in each year of the comprehensive spending review period.

Damian Green: Action against human trafficking will continue to be funded through the Serious Organised Crime Agency, UK Border Agency and general police budgets. It is not possible to disaggregate the amounts focused specifically on tackling human trafficking.
	Support for victims of human trafficking will continue to be funded by both the Home Office and Ministry of Justice. The final amount is yet to be determined.

Human Trafficking: Finance

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what funding her Department provided for  (a) actions against human trafficking and  (b) support for victims of human trafficking in each year since 2005;
	(2)  what funding her Department provided for  (a) actions against human trafficking and  (b) support for victims of human trafficking in each year since 2005.

Damian Green: Up to 2007-08, with the exception of funding to support victims, work to tackle human trafficking was paid for from the £15.4 million Reflex fund which was established to counter organised immigration crime. It is not possible to disaggregate the amount provided specifically on human trafficking initiatives before then.
	The following table provides details of funding broken down by year from the point at which it is possible to do so:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 Support for victims of trafficking (joint funding from Ministry of Justice and Home Office) 0.620 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.95 2 
			 Metropolitan Police Trafficking Team - - 1.7 0.6 0.435 - 
			 UK Human Trafficking Centre - - 0.834 1.7 1.6 1.6 
			  Note:   These figures exclude any expenditure from general police budgets, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, the UK Border Agency or other un-ring fenced budgets which contribute towards tackling human trafficking.

Human Trafficking: Prostitution

Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will meet the Medaille Trust to discuss  (a) the Government's proposed strategy on reducing human trafficking and  (b) provision of half-way houses for victims of sex trafficking.

Damian Green: The voluntary sector plays a key role in the identification of, and provision of support to, victims of human trafficking. We are strongly supportive of this role and will continue to work in partnership with voluntary organisations to reduce the incidence of human trafficking.
	Home Office officials will shortly be contacting non-governmental organisations to discuss development of the forthcoming strategy on human trafficking.

Human Trafficking: Refuges

Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will meet the Poppy Project its London refuge for women rescued from sex trafficking and domestic slavery for the purpose of formulating her policy to reduce human trafficking.

Damian Green: The voluntary sector plays a key role in the identification of, and provision of support to, victims of human trafficking. We are strongly supportive of this role and will continue to work in partnership with voluntary organisations to reduce the incidence of human trafficking.
	Home Office officials will shortly be contacting non-governmental organisations to discuss development of the forthcoming strategy on human trafficking.

Human Trafficking: Voluntary Organisations

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what voluntary organisations which assist the victims of trafficking she has met since 11 October 2010.

Damian Green: The voluntary sector plays a key role in the identification of, and provision of support to, victims of human trafficking. We are strongly supportive of this role and will continue to work in partnership with voluntary organisations to reduce the incidence of human trafficking. On 14 October 2010 I visited Stop the Traffik to mark Anti-Slavery Day. I also met with the APPG on Human Trafficking, and representatives of ECPAT UK and Anti-Slavery International, on 12 July 2010.
	Home Office officials will be contacting voluntary organisations shortly to discuss development of forthcoming strategy on human trafficking.

Immigration Controls

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress her Department has made on the reintroduction of exit checks by 2014.

Damian Green: Our programme for government sets out our support for e-Borders and our intention to re-introduce exit checks and we are committed to do this by 2015.
	The e-Borders system, which is currently checking in excess of 55% of passenger and crew movements into and out of the UK, is a key element of our border security strategy. The system allows us to screen travel document information provided in advance of travel to identify threats, including those related to terrorism, and to target the most harmful individuals.

Passports: Fraud

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of confirmed fraudulent activity detected by passport offices in 2010 was detected by the Newport Passport Office.

Damian Green: From 1 January until 30 November 2010, Newport Passport Office detected 16.1% of all confirmed passport application fraud identified by the Identity and Passport Service.

Police Community Support Officers: Nottinghamshire

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police community support officers (PCSOs) are assigned to duties in Ashfield constituency; and whether she plans to ring-fence the budget for recruitment and retention in Nottinghamshire constabulary of PCSOs.

Nick Herbert: The Government announced on 13 December as part of the police funding settlement that the Neighbourhood Policing Fund will be maintained over the next two years, before being devolved to police and crime commissioners. About 90% of the grant is ring-fenced for police community support officers (PCSOs), contributing up to 75% of their salary costs.
	Police personnel statistics are not collected by the Home Office by parliamentary constituency. Ashfield constituency is in the 'city of Nottingham' basic command unit (BCU) (area A). Latest available data show that there were 49 PCSOs on 31 March 2010 in the Nottinghamshire BCU area A.

Police: Wales

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the proposal to include members of the National Assembly for Wales on police and crime panels.

Nick Herbert: holding answer 16 December 2010
	Policing is a reserved matter within the devolution settlement for Wales and we intend the Police and Crime Commissioner policy to apply in Wales as in England, with appropriate modifications to reflect the different local authority and community safety landscape within Wales. The Secretary of State for the Home Department met the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Social Justice and Local Government on 22 September 2010 to discuss the scope of the proposals that were to be set out in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill.
	In addition, I have met, spoken and corresponded with the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Social Justice and Local Government on a number of occasions to discuss those provisions that impinge upon the legislative competence of the National Assembly for Wales or affect the functions of Welsh Assembly Government Ministers.
	In light of these discussions, we have made provision in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill that police and crime panels in Wales will have appointed to them, by Welsh Assembly Government Ministers, a representative of the Welsh Assembly.

Public Order Offences

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were  (a) arrested and  (b) charged with using insulting words or behaviour under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 in (i) 2000, (ii) 2001, (iii) 2002, (iv) 2003, (v) 2004, (vi) 2005, (vii) 2006, (viii) 2007, (ix) 2008, (x) 2009 and (xi) 2010.

James Brokenshire: The information requested on arrests is not available centrally.
	The arrests collection held by the Home Office covers arrests for recorded crime (notifiable offences) only, broken down at a main offence group level, covering categories such as violence against the person and robbery. From these centrally reported categories it is not possible to separately identify offences under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.
	Data provided by Ministry of Justice on the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, England and Wales, from 2000 to 2009 (latest available) can be viewed in the table. Information on the number of people charged is not available centrally.
	The data held by the Ministry of Justice contains information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. No information about the circumstances of each case is held other than that specified in a statute. It is therefore not possible to separately identify those cases in which insulting words or behaviour were used from offences under section 5 of the Public Order Act.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded against at the magistrates for offences under the Public Order Act 1986 section 5, England and Wales 2000 to 2009( 1, 2, 3) 
			   Offence description  Statute  Year  Proceeded against 
			  Total proceedings under Public Order Act 1986, section 5  2000 25,109 
			2001 24,384 
			2002 24,677 
			2003 26,698 
			2004 26,824 
			2005 26,835 
			2006 29,211 
			2007 30,933 
			2008 28,179 
			2009 26,480 
			  
			   of which:
			 125/12 Harassment, alarm or distress Public Order Act 1986, section 5 2000 24,337 
			2001 23,203 
			2002 23,502 
			2003 25,225 
			2004 25,007 
			2005 24,684 
			2006 26,406 
			2007 27,684 
			2008 24,871 
			2009 22,767 
			  
			 125/58 Racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress Public Order Act 1986, Section 5 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998, section 31(1)(c)&(5) 2000 772 
			2001 1,181 
			2002 1,165 
			2003 1,376 
			2004 1,646 
			2005 1,903 
			2006 2,409 
			2007 2,811 
			2008 2,827 
			2009 3,152 
			  
			 125/61 Religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress Public Order Act 1986, section 5 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998, section 31(1)(c)&(5) 2000 - 
			2001 - 
			2002 3 
			2003 12 
			2004 16 
			2005 20 
			2006 36 
			2007 38 
			2008 44 
			2009 50 
			  
			 125/63 Racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress Public Order Act 1986, section 5 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998, section 31(1)(c)&(5) 2000 - 
			2001 - 
			2002 7 
			2003 85 
			2004 155 
			2005 228 
			2006 360 
			2007 400 
			2008 437 
			2009 511 
			 (1 )The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008.

UK Border Agency: Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make it her policy that staff of the UK Border Agency should register the occasions when they use  (a) first class rail and  (b) air travel at fares other than the cheapest available in an official capacity in the last financial year; and what hotel accommodation was used in an official capacity by each member of staff of the UK Border Agency in the last financial year.

Damian Green: The Home Office commenced a new travel booking contract in December 2008 and since early 2009 all first class rail travel can be identified. Air travel at fares other than the cheapest available can also be logged. Aggregated spend information on first class rail travel is provided to directorates to enable them to manage the cost of travel. All those contractually entitled to first class travel are expected, given the Department's commitments to reducing costs, to consider carefully whether first class travel is justified in the light of the specific business need for the journey and the example it sets.
	The need for travel at all is considered against using more cost-effective options like teleconferencing or videoconferencing, which are increasingly available throughout the agency. Managers have been asked to ensure that any claim for first-class travel is balanced with a clear business justification. There are times when travelling in a higher- fare seat is justifiable; for example on long-haul flights, especially where managers have engagements on arrival at their destination. Similarly, when travelling by rail, if seating is unavailable in economy carriages then travelling first class might be appropriate.
	In the financial year 2009-10, UK Border Agency staff made 4,163 hotel bookings at a total cost of £1,775,000. These booking should be set in the context of the Agency being a global organisation employing 24,000 staff working in 137 countries, which will necessitate some travel as part of managing our business.

Welsh Language

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when her Department last published a Welsh language scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993; and at which web addresses these can be accessed in  (a) Welsh and  (b) English.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office agreed a new Welsh language scheme with the Welsh Language Board on 23 September 2009.
	The scheme was available on the Home Office website in both English and Welsh until the general election when much of the Home Office's website content was archived for propriety. The Welsh language scheme pages were archived as part of that exercise.
	The Welsh language scheme is available in both Welsh and English on the Home Office website at  (a):
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/corporate-publications/welsh-language-scheme/
	and  (b):
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/Cymraeg

Wickham Research Laboratories: Animal Experiments

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 30 November 2010,  Official Report, columns 68-69WS, on the Animals Scientific Procedures Inspectorate (Wickham Laboratories), when she plans to determine whether proceedings for infringement of conditions of project licences are to be brought.

Lynne Featherstone: The Animals Scientific Procedures Inspectorate report of a review of compliance at Wickham Laboratories published on 30 November 2010,  Official Report, columns 68-9WS, identified a number of potential breaches of licence and certificate conditions. I have already made the decision to initiate infringement proceedings. The Home Office does not comment on the detail of infringement actions under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Wickham Research Laboratories: Animal Experiments

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the merits of reviewing the certificate of designation issued to Wickham Laboratories.

Lynne Featherstone: In the light of the Animals Scientific Procedures Inspectorate report of a review of compliance at Wickham Laboratories published on 30 November 2010,  Official Report, columns 68-9WS, the compliance of the holder of the certificate of designation, for Wickham Laboratories, with the authorities of the certificate of designation is under review. The Home Office does not disclose the details of any infringement proceedings.

Witness Care Units: Finance

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding was provided to witness care units by police authorities in each year since 2005.

Nick Herbert: The information requested is not held centrally. The Home Office, the Department for Communities and Local Government, and the Welsh Assembly Government, provide funding to police authorities as a whole. Decisions on how police authorities distribute these resources are a matter for each police authority to determine.

JUSTICE

Antisocial Behaviour: Railways

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convictions for antisocial behaviour on trains there were in each year since 2007.

Crispin Blunt: The data held by the Ministry of Justice contains information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. No information about the circumstances of each case is held centrally other than that specified in a statute and it is not possible to identify the specific location where antisocial behaviour offences occurred.

Courts: Retford

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects county court cases for the Retford area to transfer to Worksop magistrates court.

Jonathan Djanogly: Detailed implementation plans will now be developed and stakeholders will be informed of when a court is likely to close once the plans have been completed.
	There is not currently a county court in Retford and county court hearings from the Retford area are already heard at the Worksop courthouse. Family work will continue to be heard at Mansfield county court, as is currently the case.
	In March 2009, the administrative functions and staff of Worksop county court were transferred to Mansfield county court. However, county court hearings and counter services continued at the Worksop courthouse. Upon the closure of Worksop county court, county court hearings will be retained at the Worksop courthouse but the counter services will cease to be available. The administrative work for Worksop county court is already dealt with at Mansfield county court and, as now, court users will continue to be able to contact Mansfield county court by a variety of methods, including telephone, post, and in person. There will also be an on-line service for some county court processes.

Courts: Retford

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether Retford magistrates court cases will be transferred to Worksop after the implementation of his proposals for court closures.

Jonathan Djanogly: As explained in the consultation response paper, upon its closure the workload of Retford magistrates court will be moved to Worksop.

Crimes of Violence: Railways

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convictions relating to violence on trains there were in  (a) 2007,  (b) 2008 and  (c) 2009.

Crispin Blunt: Information collated centrally by the Ministry of Justice, on convictions for criminal offences, only contains the description of the offence as given in statute. In this instance it is not possible to provide information on convictions relating to violence on trains. The circumstance of each case will be held on individual court records.

Demonstrations: City of Westminster

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the cost of the damage caused to his Department's property in  (a) Brighton and Hove and  (b) Hove constituency during recent disturbances connected with demonstrations.

Crispin Blunt: There is no record of damage occurring to Ministry of Justice property in Brighton and Hove and Hove constituency during recent demonstrations/disturbances.

Departmental Pay

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff employed by his Department were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jonathan Djanogly: The London Mayor's Living Wage Unit "London living wage" is currently valued at £7.85 per hour. This sum is calculated by reference to an assessment of basic living costs and an income distribution of 60(th) percentile of the median of incomes together with an enhancement of 15%.
	Employees within the Ministry are normally employed either on pay terms known as the 'Deal', or on pay terms set by the National Offender Management Service. There are no members of staff within Greater London on these respective pay terms receiving less than the 'London living wage'. Due to past machinery of government changes, there are a small number of legacy pay systems. We do not hold any central records of employees on legacy pay terms in the Greater London area who are paid a salary less than the 'London living wage'. This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Procurement

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible have taken to comply with the guidance of the Office of Government Commerce on promoting skills through public procurement issued in 2009.

Crispin Blunt: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has taken a number of steps to ensure compliance with the guidance produced by the Office of Government Commerce on promoting skills through public procurement. However, the guidance is not intended to include non-departmental public bodies so the steps we have taken concentrate on the core Department and its agencies.
	We have published our commitment to the programme on the MOJ procurement website where it is available for suppliers and members of the public to view.
	We have inserted a new schedule in our standard tender documents explaining this important initiative and where appropriate, requiring tenderers to ensure that a specified
	proportion of hours worked on the contract are to be delivered by an employee on an apprentice or training programme.

Domestic Violence

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what funding his Department allocated to  (a) tackling domestic violence and  (b) providing support to victims of domestic violence in each year since 2005.

Crispin Blunt: The Department did not fund any services aimed specifically at supporting victims of domestic violence prior to 2007. Since 2007, a proportion of the proceeds from the Victim Surcharge, administered by the Ministry of Justice, has been used to fund independent domestic violence advisers (IDVAs) attached to specialist domestic violence courts. These IDVAs provide specialist, one-to-one support for victims of domestic violence as they progress through the criminal justice system.
	Funding was allocated on a three-year cycle and on the basis that local areas would mainstream funding into local budgets within this time. In 2010-11, £840,000 was allocated to fund 42 IDVAs. The allocation in previous years was as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2007-08 3 
			 2008-09 2.6 
			 2009-10 2.6

Domestic Violence

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department plans to allocate to  (a) tackling domestic violence and  (b) providing support to the victims of domestic violence in each year of the comprehensive spending review period; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: The Government are currently reviewing spend on services for victims and witnesses. No decisions have yet been taken.

Domestic Violence: Courts

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many specialist domestic violence courts were established in  (a) each region of England and  (b) Wales in each year since 2005.

Jonathan Djanogly: The number of specialist domestic violence courts established in each region of England and Wales since 2005 is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Region  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 East midlands: 1 1 3 2 1 
			 Eastern 1 3 2 5 - 
			 London 2 1 - 3 3 
			 North-east 1 1 2 2 3 
			 North-west 4 7 10 4 5 
			 South-east 1 2 9 - 1 
			 South-west 3 5 8 1 - 
			 Wales 4 8 2 - 1 
			 West midlands 3 8 3 2 - 
			 Yorkshire/Humberside 1 7 1 4 -

Ejup Ganic: Public Finance

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the total cost to the public purse was of the case brought against Ejup Ganic; and how much has been so spent on  (a) counsel,  (b) solicitors, including staff time,  (c) all relevant court hearings,  (d) the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Crown Prosecution Service,  (e) Ejup Gain's costs awarded out of public funds and  (f) any other relevant costs to be met from public funds.

Nick Herbert: With regard to the total costs to the public purse of the extradition request for Dr Ejup Ganic, I refer my hon. Friend to my previous reply of 8 November 2010,  Official Report, column 118W.
	The following information on costs is available.
	The cost to the Home Office of counsel employed on the Ganic case was £1,597.24.
	I understand from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that the total cost of administration and in-house advocates relating to the case was £34,511. The cost to the CPS of counsel employed on the case was £76,400.
	I understand from HM Courts Service that the cost of the hearings involving Dr Ganic at city of Westminster magistrates court is estimated at £7,630. This is based on the estimated national average daily marginal costs for a district judge sitting in the magistrates court. The cost of the hearings at the High Court are estimated at £2,340, again based on average costs.
	Dr Ganic did not receive legal aid; a defence costs order has been made to reimburse his legal costs from central funds. However, records show that no money has been paid to date.

Gary Critchley

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when his Department expects to respond to the application by Rowan House, Norfolk for leave for Mr Gary Critchley under section 17 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

Crispin Blunt: The Department received the application on 10 December. Officials are assessing it, having regard to public protection, and expect to respond before Christmas.

HM Courts Service and Tribunals Service: Finance

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 9 November 2010,  Official Report, columns 211-2W, on HM Court Service: Wales, when he expects to determine the  (a) funding settlement for HM Courts and Tribunals Service for 2011-12 and  (b) level of funding to be provided by the service for North Wales for 2011-12.

Jonathan Djanogly: Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) is responsible for administration of courts in England and Wales. HMCS allocates financial resource to Wales and the six regions of England. From the 1 April 2011, Her Majesty's Court Service and the Tribunals Service will be integrating to form a new Agency, Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
	HMCS and Tribunals Service are yet to agree a final budget allocation for HMCTS 2011-12 and are not yet in a position to confirm when this can be expected. Subsequently HMCS is yet to agree the level of funding to be provided for North Wales for 2011-12.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many Legal Complaints Service complaints relating to coalminers compensation were  (a) unresolved and  (b) disputed on the most recent date for which figures are available.

Jonathan Djanogly: The latest figures available from the Legal Complaints Service show that, as of 16 December 2010, there were six outstanding complaints relating to coal miners compensation. The LCS is expecting these cases to be closed by the end of January 2011.

Legal Aid: Cumbria

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his Department's expenditure on civil legal aid other than on family matters was in  (a) Cumbria and  (b) Carlisle constituency in each of the last three years.

Jonathan Djanogly: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I provided him on 13 December 2010,  Official Report, column 499W.

Legal Aid: Social Security Benefits

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the likely effects on disabled people of  (a) removing welfare benefits from the scope of legal aid and  (b) means-testing for income or capital to determine eligibility for legal aid.

Jonathan Djanogly: A set of impact assessments, including equalities impact assessments, were published alongside both the Legal Aid and Civil Litigation Green Papers, which include a preliminary assessment of the impact of individual proposals, including those raised in the question. The impact assessments can be found at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/consultations.htm
	and respondents are invited to comment on the preliminary impacts indentified.

Legal Complaints Service: Leamington Spa

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what provision his Department plans to make for the transfer of disputed Legal Complaints Service (LCS) complaints after the closure of LCS operations in Leamington Spa.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Legal Complaints Service (LCS) will cease operation on 31 March 2011. Any outstanding complaints will be redirected to the Legal Services Ombudsman for completion in accordance with the Legal Services Act 2007 (Commencement No. 8, Transition and Transitional Provisions) Order 2010 that was laid in Parliament on 20 August 2010.
	If complainants wish to dispute the findings of the LCS it will remain open to them to refer the matter to the Legal Services Ombudsman.
	All new complaints should be directed to the new Legal Ombudsman scheme which became fully operational from 6 October 2010.

National Offender Management Service: Finance

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2010,  Official Report, columns 68-69W, on national probation service: Wales, when he expects to announce the funding settlements for  (a) the National Offender Management Service (NOMS),  (b) NOMS Cymru and  (c) the North Wales Probation Board for 2011-12.

Crispin Blunt: The publication of the comprehensive spending review gave the high level funding settlements for Government Departments. Following on from the publication the Ministry of Justice and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) have been undertaking detailed modelling and planning in order to produce budgets with the required level of detail to enable the allocation of funds across their areas of business.
	This process is an iterative one and although we have identified and agreed the majority of the funding allocations there are still some areas where further work is required before all the figures can be finalised.
	As a consequence it is anticipated that the final allocation for NOMS will not be known until the end of December, although even then, this figure may be subject to some amendment should there be a shift in priorities.
	The future structure of the National Offender Management Service is under review at present and as such the way in which funding for offender services across England and Wales is allocated will follow a different route, hence an allocation for NOMS Cymru as a whole will not be made for 2011-12.
	For the individual business units covered by the National Offender Management Service, which includes the Wales Probation Trust, negotiations are ongoing and it is planned that the financial delegations will be issued in March 2011. The allocation made to Wales Probation Trust will be to deliver probation services across the whole of Wales and so will include the geographic area formerly covered by the North Wales Probation Board.

Prisoners' Release

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2010 , Official Report, column 118W, on prisoners' release, 
	(1)  how  (a) long into and  (b) far from the end of the sentence the crime was committed in each case;
	(2)  for what reasons there were 785 failures of licence between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2009.

Crispin Blunt: The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost since this would require interrogating each of the individual incident records in order to identify, extract and collate the relevant information.
	In general, temporary release failures can occur for a variety of reasons including: prisoners who are late in returning to the establishment; failure to comply with the conditions of the licence; not returning voluntarily to prison; or because prisoners may have committed an offence while on licence.

Prisoners: Per Capita Costs

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average cost of a prison place for a category C prisoner was in the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The average direct establishment cost per prison place in Category C establishments is as follows:
	
		
			  Category C establishment s : Direct public sector establishment expenditure 
			   Cost per place (£) 
			 2008-09 23,541 
			 2007-08 23,471 
			 2006-07 22,707 
			 2005-06 21,976 
			 2004-05 21,419 
		
	
	The costs comprise the public sector establishments' direct resource expenditure as published in the annual report and accounts of Her Majesty's Prison Service (HMPS). This is only expenditure met locally at each establishment.
	The costs represent the total cost per place at each prison where the majority use at the end of each year was for category C prisoners. There is no adjustment for prisons holding prisoners of more than one category.
	For the last two years (2008-09 and 2007-08) an overall cost per place which also includes prison related costs met by HMPS and NOMS at regional and national level has been calculated as follows:
	
		
			  Category C establishments: Total overall cost of public and private establishments 
			   Cost per place (£) 
			 2008-09 37,656 
			 2007-08 34,476 
		
	
	The overall average cost for 2008-09 comprises the expenditure on public and private prisons (as recorded in the NOMS Agency annual report and accounts), increased by an apportionment of relevant costs borne centrally and in the Regions by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). This involves some estimation. The figures do not include the cost of prisoners held in police or court cells under Operation Safeguard, nor expenditure met by other Government Departments (e.g. Health and Education). The prisoner escort service costs are included. Expenditure recharged to the Youth Justice Board in respect of young people is included.
	The overall cost for 2007-08 was calculated on a broadly similar basis.
	Cost per prison place is expressed in terms of the certified normal accommodation number of places; this gives a higher unit cost than the cost per prisoner.

Prisons and Probation Ombudsman

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many complaints have been referred to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman in each of the last three years.

Crispin Blunt: The information in the following tables shows the number of complaints received by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman from prisoners, offenders who are or have been under probation supervision, and immigration detainees. Also shown is the number of those complaints deemed eligible for investigation. The other major part of the ombudsman's remit is the investigation of all deaths in prisons and immigration detention and those are not included in the figures in the tables.
	
		
			  Number of complaints received 
			   Complaints received 
			   Prisoners and probation  Immigration detention 
			 2007-08(1) 4,657 93 
			 2008-09(2) 4,206 99 
			 2009-10 4,538 103 
		
	
	
		
			   Eligible complaints received 
			   Prisoners and probation  Immigration detention 
			 2007-08(1) 1,570 49 
			 2008-09(2) 1,773 55 
			 2009-10 2,255 69 
			 (1) Years are April to March.(  2) The system for recording the number of complaints changed in this year.

Prisons and Probation Ombudsman

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost to his Department was of the office of the prisons and probation ombudsman in each of the last three years.

Crispin Blunt: Information on the expenditure of the prisons and probation ombudsman is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Prisons and probation ombudsman expenditure 
			   Cost (£ million) 
			 2007-08 n/a 
			 2008-09 5.37 
			 2009-10 6.02 
			 n/a = Not available 
		
	
	The PPO receives limited income from the Home Office in relation to immigration detention. The figures above are net total expenditure on all of the PPO's functions (complaints and fatal incident investigations) including for immigration detention.

Prisons: Drugs

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in which prisons no use of controlled drugs has been detected in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: Prisons have achieved considerable success in reducing the drugs. Drug misuse as measured by random mandatory drug testing has fallen 68% since 1996-97.
	A single episode of drug misuse over a defined period, strictly interpreted, would deprive a prison of drug free status. Over the 2009-10 financial year one prison, HMP Deerbolt, reported no drug misuse, as measured by random mandatory drug testing.
	The prisons in the following list reported no drug misuse, as measured by random mandatory drug testing, in at least one month of the 2009-10 financial year.
	 Prisons that recorded no positive random mandatory drug tests in at least one month in 2009-10
	Albany
	Ashfield
	Askham Grange
	Aylesbury
	Bedford
	Belmarsh
	Blantyre House
	Blundeston
	Brinsford
	Bronzefield
	Bullwood Hall
	Bure
	Canterbury.
	 Prisons that recorded no positive random mandatory drug tests in at least one month in 2009-10
	Castington
	Channings Wood
	Chelmsford
	Coldingley
	Dartmoor
	Deerbolt
	Dorchester
	Downview
	Drake Hall
	East Sutton Park
	Eastwood Park
	Edmonds Hill
	Elmley
	Erlestoke
	Exeter
	Featherstone
	Feltham
	Foston Hall
	Frankland
	Full Sutton
	Gartree
	Glen Parva
	Grendon
	Highpoint
	Hindley
	Hollesley Bay
	Holloway
	Huntercombe
	Kingston
	Kirklevington
	Lancaster
	Lancaster Farms
	Latchmere House
	Lewes
	Leyhill
	Littlehey
	Long Lartin
	Maidstone
	Moorland
	Moorland Open
	Morton Hall
	New Hall
	Northallerton
	Nottingham
	Onley.
	 Prisons that recorded no positive random mandatory drug tests in at least one month in 2009-10
	Peterborough Female
	Peterborough Male
	Portland
	Ranby
	Reading
	Risley
	Rochester
	Rye Hill
	Send
	Shepton Mallet
	Shrewsbury
	Spring Hill
	Standford Hill
	Stocken
	Stoke Heath
	Styal
	Swaleside
	Swansea
	Swinfen Hall
	Usk/Prescoed
	Verne
	Wakefield
	Warren Hill
	Wealstun
	Wellingborough
	Werrington
	Wetherby
	Whatton
	Whitemoor.
	The information given in this answer has been drawn from live administrative data systems which may be amended at any time. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. The data are not subject to audit.

Prisons: Riots

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners were involved in riots in prisons in each of the last three years; and how many prosecutions have been brought as a result.

Crispin Blunt: In the last three years there have been six major disturbances, commonly referred to as riots, at HMP Ashwell and HMYOI Cookham Wood and more recently at HMYOI Warren Hill and three incidents at HMP and YOI Moorland. To date these have resulted in seven prosecutions.
	30 young people were involved in the incident at Cookham Wood in 2010 resulting in seven prosecutions.
	The precise numbers of prisoners actively involved in the instigation of the disturbance at Ashwell in 2009 was never determined. Many prisoners were caught up in the incident and more were affected as their accommodation became inhabitable. A total of 425 prisoners were transferred out. Despite an extensive police investigation it was not possible to prosecute any of the perpetrators.
	Details of the three recent incidents at HMP and YOI Moorland and the incident at HMP Warren Hill are not available as these are still under police investigation.

Public Order Offences: Convictions

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were convicted 
	(1)  for using insulting words or behaviour under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 in  (a) 2000,  (b) 2001,  (c) 2002,  (d) 2003,  (e) 2004,  (f) 2005,  (g) 2006,  (h) 2007,  (i) 2008,  (j) 2009 and  (k) 2010;
	(2)  under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 in  (a) 2000,  (b) 2001,  (c) 2002,  (d) 2003,  (e) 2004,  (f) 2005,  (g) 2006,  (h) 2007,  (i) 2008,  (j) 2009 and  (k) 2010.

Crispin Blunt: The number of defendants found guilty at all courts for offences under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, England and Wales for 2000 to 2009 (latest available) can be viewed in the table as follows.
	Data held centrally by the Ministry of Justice contain information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. No information about the circumstances of each case is held other than that specified in a statute. It is therefore not possible to separately identify from offences under section 5 of the Public Order Act those in which insulting words or behaviour were used.
	Court proceedings data for 2010 are planned for publication in the spring, 2011.
	
		
			  Number of defendants found guilty at all courts for offences under the Public Order Act 1986 Section 5, England and Wales, 2000 to 2009( 1, 2) 
			  Offence description  Statute   Found guilty 
			 Harassment, alarm or distress Public Order Act 1986, Section 5 2000 16,604 
			   2001 15,479 
			   2002 15,952 
			   2003 17,410 
			   2004 18,164 
			   2005 18,092 
			   2006 19,536 
			   2007 21,525 
			   (3)2008 19,988 
			   2009 18,249 
			 
			 Racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress Public Order Act 1986, Section 5 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998, Section 31 (1)(c)&(5) 2000 461 
			   2001 734 
			   2002 710 
			   2003 913 
			   2004 1,079 
			   2005 1,338 
			   2006 1,737 
			   2007 2,100 
			   (3)2008 2,251 
			   2009 2,518 
			 
			 Religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress Public Order Act 1986, Section 5 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998, Section 31(1)(c)&(5) 2000 0 
			   2001 0 
			   2002 3 
			   2003 6 
			   2004 13 
			   2005 17 
			   2006 30 
			   2007 32 
			   (3)2008 30 
			   2009 30 
			 
			 Racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress Public Order Act 1986, Section 5 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998, Section 31 (1)(c)&(5) 2000 0 
			   2001 0 
			   2002 7 
			   2003 71 
			   2004 100 
			   2005 161 
			   2006 271 
			   2007 314 
			   (3)2008 351 
			   2009 411 
			 
			 
			 Total Public Order Act 1986 Section 5  2000 17,065 
			   2001 16,213 
			   2002 16,672 
			   2003 18,400 
			   2004 19,356 
			   2005 19,608 
			   2006 21,574 
			   2007 23,971 
			   (3)2008 22,620 
			   2009 21,208 
			 (1 )The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3 )Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008.  Source: Prepared by Justice Statistics Analytical Services within the Ministry of Justice.

Sentencing

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 16 November 2010,  Official Report, columns 668-70W, on sentencing, how many offenders had received over 200 previous convictions.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows figures for sentences given for indictable offences to offenders with 201 or more previous convictions or cautions, who did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by offence category and offence. These figures are derived from table 6.2 of "Sentencing Statistics: England and Wales 2009" which was published on 21 October 2010. The published table gives a breakdown of offenders sentenced by number of previous convictions and cautions, and the same basis has been used for this answer.
	
		
			  Number of offenders with 201 or more previous convictions or cautions who did not receive an immediate custodial sentence for an indictable offence by offence category and offence, 2007-09-England and Wales 
			  Number of offend ers 
			  2007 2008 2009 
			  Violence against the person 5 19 17 
			 Breach of antisocial behaviour order 4 19 17 
			 Racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress 1 - - 
			 
			  Sexual offences - 1 - 
			 Exposure - 1 - 
			 
			  Theft and handling stolen goods 6 8 15 
			 Stealing from motor vehicles - - 1 
			 Stealing from shops and stalls 6 8 13 
			 Stealing not classified elsewhere - - 1 
			 
			  Fraud and forgery 2 - 1 
			 Dishonestly makes a false representation for gain - - 1 
			 Obtaining property by deception 1 - - 
			 Making off without payment 1 - - 
			 
			  Drug offences - - 4 
			 Possession of cocaine - - 1 
			 Possession of class C controlled drug - - 1 
			 Possession of cannabis - - 2 
			 
			  Other indictable offences 3 1 1 
			 Failing to surrender to bail 2 1 - 
			 Failure to comply with notification order - - 1 
			 Other indictable offences not specified above 1 - - 
			 Total 16 29 38 
		
	
	The figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system, the police national computer, which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police.

Squatting

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what definition of squatting his Department uses.

Crispin Blunt: For the purposes of our ongoing work, we have been looking at the harm caused by squatters who occupy residential and non-residential property without authority.

Welsh Language

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when his Department last published a Welsh language scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993; and at which web addresses these can be accessed in  (a) Welsh and  (b) English.

Crispin Blunt: The Ministry of Justice published its Welsh Language Scheme on the 24 March 2010. The scheme can be downloaded in Welsh and English from
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/moj-welsh-language-scheme.htm
	This scheme focuses on the Ministry of Justice's corporate functions.
	HM Court Service and the Tribunal Service have their own schemes as do a number of other organisations sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. The National Offender Management Service is currently developing their own scheme. HM Court Service revised and updated their 2007 scheme which was republished in August 2010. The scheme can be downloaded in Welsh and English from:
	http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/files/Cynllun_diwygiedig_wedi_ei_gymeradwyo_Awst_2010.pdf

Witnesses

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has for funding for witness care units in each year of the Spending Review period.

Crispin Blunt: The Government are currently reviewing spend on services to victims and witnesses. Witness Care Units are jointly funded by the local police authorities and the Crown Prosecution Service. No decisions have yet been taken on additional central government funding for witness care units.